BLC 13 - RED TEAM (Closed Group)

Hello Team RED!! Hope you all off to a great start...this will be our team meeting place.  Any Newbies to the Challenge -  this forum is our own little world to bond, commiserate, support, cheer on and encourage one another.  I strongly encourage all to use this team link to stay motivated and get to know one another. 

Then, at weekly weigh-ins (between Tues - Thurs), we post back at the main challenge forum (where overall challenge results are also posted):

http://caloriecount.about.com/biggest-loser-c hallenge-part-sing-ups-ft150551-2

I thought we could use the 'buddy system' at weigh-in times...from past experience, every team seems to lose a few people once skipping starts.  Think it would be helpful if we look out for our buddy and remind them to weigh in if deadline is getting close/ follow up personally if they missed a week. Lets be the first team to end the challenge with a full strong team.   I paired people up loosely based on who has been participating in the BLC challenges or other challenges on CC with some of the newer members. 

Good luck to all and look forward to getting to know you all!

BUDDIES:

jachid2 / lessofanita

eamikel / emilie_f

bqueenme / slugger1430

100orbust / fred232323

makphl / nbradford / azweight

RED TEAM - STARTING POINT!
100orbust (W0: 234.0)
azweight (W0: 162.0)
bqueenme (W0: 218.0)
eamikel (W0: 184.0)
emilie_f (W0: 211.6)
fred232323 (W0: 221.2)
jachid2 (W0: 156.5)
makphl (W0: 150.3)
lessofanita (W0: 235.0)
nbradford (W0: 140.0)
slugger14310 (W0: 195.0)
Red Team Total   W0: 2107.6

Greetings all!

Just wanted to give a quick little intro....I've been on CC and fully into all of the lifestyle changes since February, although I started to lose a little weight starting the end of January following surgery.  So far, so good - I've lost about 70 and have about another 20.  But there's a disclaimer  to the steady drop -- I was also laid off from work in March and have no kids, so basically I'm trying to turn around this tough time into a positive and focus on getting healthy. Lots of exercise, and just as importantly, I use much of my free time to cook tons of super healthy food. And I can use the 'no money' excuse to avoid too many eating out temptations.  So yes, I've been doing great, but I also realize that the majority of people out there have zero free time and are juggling multiple responsibilities, thus making this journey a much slower process. Trust me - I've been there - its how I got big in the first place - working /commuting non-stop, eating out and no exercise!

This is my 3rd BLC Challenge and I've found them to be really motivating and have met some great people. But you get what you put into it - -I think everyone's schedule's were understandably crazy during summer, and our team didn't post often as a team and many lost interest. However, the previous Challenge (11), our team site was really active and it was a great experience. So hopefully now that summer is over, most of us will be returning to so called normal life and keep the activity level up on this team site.   Take care!

WOW great stats makphl! You are such an inspiration! Great job and I am so proud of you! I have been a member of calorie count since April of 2007 yes 2.5 years and loving every minute.  I did FABULOUS for a few months but in April 2008, I found out I was pregnant and went on a hiatus.  I am just getting back into it and could DEFINATELY use the bond I had with other CC members.  It is so inspiring!  I have a difficult time managing my time and finding NO excuses... That is something I am really really going to work on this time around... I have to find time to work out.  At least I know that I work out best in the mornings! :-)  This is going to be a great challenge! I know that I will be a good participant in this challenge so you can count on me! :-)

Hello everybody. I am excited to be hereon this challenge.  So far water challenge is going great. I usually drink 64 oz of water per day so thats not a problem. I am pushing myself to 80-90 oz water per day.

Azweight - thanks for reminding us about the water challenge for this first week! All - for quick reference, point system is posted below...drink, drink , drink away...:)

Azweight - is it safe to assume you're in Arizona? (Which would explain you're good hydration practices!)

Bqueenme - congrats on the baby!! Amazing that you're even able to find time to get online at all! Is this your first? You're so right - having the support on this site is amazing!

CHALLENGE #1 - Water

Challenge yourself to drink at least 64oz of water everyday for the next week.  For every 10 ounces that you drink, you will earn 0.1 points for your team.  Your week can start on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and must continue for 7 days straight.  Keep track of how many ounces you drink and/or points that you earn throughout the week.  At week 1's weigh ins, don't forget to report how many points you earned for your team.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  I have included an example for this challenge below:

Sample water challenge
- week start: tuesday
- tues: 60oz = 0.60 pts
- wed: 70oz = 0.70 pts
- thur: 65oz = 0.65 pts
- fri: 70oz = 0.70 pts
- sat: 53oz = 0.53 pts
- sun: 50oz = 0.50 pts
- mon: 70oz = 0.70 pts
- total points earned for challenge: 4.38

Hello everyone!

This is my first challenge, and really my first week with the CC site.  I'm looking forward to this challenge to get me motivated.  I recently had major knee surgery and have been trying my best to keep the weight off (already gained 10 lbs in 5 wks :/ ) so I'm HOPING that talking to others will keep me motivated  and supported to atleast try to eat healthier and maintain what I'm at and my goal is to even lose while I can't physically do all that much activity.

I'm definately looking forward to this.  The water challenge is looking good too!  Certainly something that I've been having to drink alot of.

YAY! Welcome aboard! Even though you have had knee surgery congrats on working to get back into shape.  I too have gained a lot of unnecessary weight and want to get back down... I have been doing VERY well with the water challenge.  Wednesday is my report day.  I have been consistently drinking 64 fl oz every day :-) It has helped me cut out a lot of the sodas and I am down to 1 or 2 per day! yay!

keep up the great work!

Welcome, Slugger - and ouch, hope your recovery is going well. 

Are you able to get around enough to shop / cook or have someone who can help you in that area? If so, I would recommend making a few healthy dishes in bulk - lots of veggies like stir fry and the like - and then freeze them, some in individual portions. It helps to have the easy  option ready to go rather than what is often the easiest option during such a time, like frozen dinners and the processed stuff you can just nuke quickly. This way you don't need to spend much time on your feet preparing each meal but still get low calorie/high nutrition options ready to go.

Great job on the water to those who have checked in so far!

Hello everyone!  I've been on CC for I think a year and a half now?!  I've always been a "lurker" on the forums, and this is the first of any real interaction with others on the sight.  My real motivation is the winter.  I'm an accountant, so that means January through April 15th is nuts for me, and I'd like to get things under control and some really good habits before I begin living at my desk again. 

I've never had trouble with the working out part.  My husband and I actually own a gym, and it's located on the first floor of my office building, so I get to be our personal trainers' guinea pig a lot of the time, and I can take classes and one on one personal training sessions anytime I want.  My struggle is eating at my desk.  I keep sweets out of the office, but there is an amazing coffee shop across the street with the best baked goods ever, and I succumb more than I should. 

I'm excited for the BL Challenge because I think it will give me an added incentive to gear up for the long winter ahead, I live in Minnesota, winter starts in October sometimes.

Sorry I haven't checked in yet!  Work has been crazy so I've been away from forums and posting!

I joined CC just this January, so I am still fairly new to the site, but I have loved every minute of it, and think it's a great resource!  This is my third BL challenge, and I do think they are very motivational!  I have a tendency to lurk and just read what everyone else is doing. . .I only throw in my two cents when I think it'll really add to the conversation.  

I am a high school band director, and fall is our competitive marching band season, so I am definitely crazy busy right now and can use the support and motivation of this challenge to keep me on track. 

Have a great week, everyone!

I really need this blc.  Last one I blew.  I not only hit the plateau, but sailed above it.  I am desperately trying to re-commit to count my calories.

The Biggest Loser TV show starts tonight too! Everyone that is such a good motivator!

I totally agree about the TV show, my husband and I make that our gym date once a week.

Hi All! I'm conveniently writing to you while watching the new season of Biggest Loser...and it sounds like some of you are doing the same! Still sniffly about that poor woman who lost her family!

Nbradford - oh, I feel for you - I have a few friends who are accountants and am very familiar with the hibernation period! How smart of you to plan ahead!  So what is that like for you being a gym owner - do you find that it helps or real stressful to have the 'eyes' on you to be healthy?

Emikel - great to be on the same team this time around! Hang in there with the crazy work schedule and enjoy the season!

Jachid - it seems that summer was just rough for everyone - at least you're back and still motivated to keep going. Its a new season (well, weather and BLC TV!) and new time to start over and get back in the groove!

Bqueenme - so are you floating yet, Ms. Water Challenge!? THink of all the extra calories you burn running to the potty as well:)

Speaking of challenges, as you start your second week, the focus is now on cardio...check out the details below...

 

CHALLENGE #2 - Cardio

Challenge yourself to incorporate some cardio into your workout routine.  We all know it's important to get that heart pumping and cardio is a great way to shed away some calories (and pounds! ).  For every 10 minutes of cardio that you do, you will earn 0.1 points for your team.  Your week can start on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and must continue for 7 days straight.  Keep track of how many points that you earn throughout the week.  At week 2's weigh ins, don't forget to report how many points you earned for your team.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  I have included an example for this challenge below:

Sample cardio challenge
- week start: wednesday
- wed: 30min. = 0.30 pts
- thur: 0min. = 0.00 pts
- fri: 30min. = 0.30 pts
- sat: 20min. = 0.20 pts
- sun: 0min. = 0.00 pts
- mon: 45min. = 0.45 pts
- tues: 30min. = 0.30 pts
- total points earned for challenge: 1.65

Hi all!

Just posted the Week 1 weight and challenge points. 1.6 pounds down isn't bad per se, but it's a bit sad for me because I had a bigger drop, then my period kicked in monday and you guys know what that means: period bloat.

Hope you guys are doing well with the cardio! It's a fun challenge for me because I do a lot of running/walking/steps and aerobic classes. Except tonight, tonight is yoga night!

Hey all,

I'm Fred, and I'm a fred.  I've been on CC since Jan, and I've dropped 22 lbs since then.   This is my 2nd BLC challenge, I missed out on the summer one as I was travelling a lot. Unfortunately, that equalled regaining all the weight I lost in BLC 11.  So, I'm here to fight back!

The cardio challenge should be a good one for me, as I bike around 200km a week (note the fred comment above), and I have 3 hockey games scheduled between now and next week. woo!

Also, as you might have guessed from the clues above (the double ells, the kms, the hockey), I'm Canadian, eh? Hoser? ;)

Good luck all!

F.

PS: I have sent 100orbust a note, so hopefully she submits before the end of the day!

yay team! we are going to do so well! I actually went to dinner for my brother birthday so I missed the first BL show!

So sorry I hadn't checked in yet.  I completely forgot I had joined the challenge.  I didn't forgot to track my water and to lose 2 lbs, I just forgot to look for my team. 

My wonderful new buddy reminded to me to post today so I am on board.  No reason for me to not post here daily I am on this site almost all day every day.

I did really well in the water challenge because I drink about 110 oz a day.  I feel like I am floating most days.  But I was an avid diet  soda drinker and I find if I just keep pouring the water in I can convince myself I don't need a soda.  So I am down to about 3 sodas a week. YAY me.

Well good luck everyone on the cardio challenge. I will do my best, but my current work out only has 3 cardio days a week.  I don't think counting the 5 minute warmup before my weight lifting counts..

red team, you have a new member that has been added to your team. i encourage you to welcome peera to your group!

Welcome emilie_f, fred & lessofanita!

Lessofanita - congrats on breaking the diet soda addiction - that's tough! And I think you can add the pre-strength training warm-up to your calculations if its cardio...a few of those will still add up.

emilie_f -wooh hoo ...I think our team is going to do well with the cardio challenge - seems like our team likes to MOVE! Ahh, its a joy being a girl, isn't it?! You'll likely the bigger nice surprise next week then but its always frustrating when you know realistically you're lower than the scale will give up!

Fred...umm, yes, I think your intro gave is a pretty good hint that you may be Canadian,ha! I *supposedly* was conceived in Canada (you know, those good old Niagra Falls honeymoons back in the day!), so I consider myself an honorary citizen if you'll accept me:)  Wow, you're really going to burn away the calories with that level of activity - am curious to know what a good hockey workout does! THanks for the buddy reminder as well..we;re doing pretty well! 

We're just missing 100orbust (reminder sent by fred), slugger, and nbradford (I have a note out to her). Hopefully we continue on as a full team! Great job this week, all!

oops - our postings overlapped - welcome peera! I've been greedy with 2 'buddies', so it will now work out perfectly with an even number on the team:)