TEAM: The Big Butt Theory (July)

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Replies

  • DaffyGirl88
    DaffyGirl88 Posts: 5,110 Member
    edited July 2021
    @cmhubbard92 - I don't know about @HASWLRS but I am a 5'5" 59 year old and my calorie limit is just 1200 daily. Post-menopause my metabolism slowed to a CRAWL and my muscle mass decreased like crazy for the first time in my life. (estrogen helps you maintain muscle mass so when it's gone, you start to look 'stringy') I always wondered why my mom ate like a bird to stay at her weight, despite daily walks, swims and yoga and now I see. Getting old is not for whimps!

    This. I am 5'7" and 60 years old. 3 lbs to lose, set at .5 and get 1260 calories. Even biking 20 miles one morning last week only netted me about 300 calories. This getting old stuff is for the birds. 😒
  • CycleMomOf3
    CycleMomOf3 Posts: 336 Member
    edited July 2021
    @annabananamc and @DaffyGirl88

    All of this. I'm 5'4" and 48yo. Pretty active, between running around with my kids, biking 3-5x/week for 10-20 mile rides each, and kayaking extensively on the weekends. I paddled upstream and downstream (6.5 miles) for 2.5 hours this morning and netted a whopping 486 calories. 💪🚣🌳🗻🙂 I have a daily allotment of 1200 calories and I don't eat my exercise calories.

    I am actually waffling with whether to continue with the challenge next month. I'm a competitive person, and I work out a lot and hard, and I don't eat much, but I'm finding myself dissatisfied with a1-2lb loss each week in comparison with these other loss logins - 6, 8, even 11 pounds in a week. My brain KNOWS that 1-2lbs is healthy, slow and perfectly successful, but I have to fight my competitive nature (to avoid disordered thinking about nutrition, health, weight loss, and exercise) that says to cut more, work more/harder to lose like the others are (even though I know I can't/shouldn't/won't, my journey is my own, slow and steady is healthier, etc. etc.) 🐢🐇🐢🐇🐢🐇

    On the other hand, I'm super grateful for finding such a supportive and fun group of fellow fitness seekers. So there's that.

    I'm a thinker by nature, so I'm just working through things in my head a bit. 💜💛💚💙❤
  • CycleMomOf3
    CycleMomOf3 Posts: 336 Member
    edited July 2021
    @annabananamc and @DaffyGirl88

    All of this. I'm 5'4" and 48yo. Pretty active, between running around with my kids, biking 3-5x/week for 10-20 mile rides each, and kayaking extensively on the weekends. I paddled upstream and downstream (6.5 miles) for 2.5 hours this morning and netted a whopping 486 calories. 💪🚣🌳🗻🙂 I have a daily allotment of 1200 calories and I don't eat my exercise calories.

    I am actually waffling with whether to continue with the challenge next month. I'm a competitive person, and I work out a pretty reasonable amount (for someone who has 8yo twins and a 5yo and is a primary parent), and I don't eat much, but I'm finding myself dissatisfied with a 1-2lb loss each week in comparison with some of these other loss logins - 6, 8, even 11 pounds in a week! My brain KNOWS that 1-2lbs is healthy (for me, at least) and will be more likely to result in long-term results, but I have to fight my competitive nature (to avoid disordered thinking about nutrition, health, weight loss, and exercise) that says to cut more, work more/harder to lose like the others are (even though I know I can't/shouldn't/won't, my journey is my own, slow and steady is healthier, etc. etc.) 🐢🐇🐢🐇🐢🐇

    On the other hand, I'm super grateful for finding such a supportive and fun group of fellow fitness seekers. So there's that.

    I'm a thinker by nature, so I'm just working through things in my head (and here, I guess) a bit. 🤷🤦💜💛💚💙❤

    Brain vs. Heart are at odds chez moi right now.

  • maryc11
    maryc11 Posts: 415 Member
    user name = maryc11
    Date = Saturday July 24, 2021
    Tracked = Yes
    Exercise = Yes
    Under = Yes
    Water = 58 oz
    Steps = 7,550
  • gamommy2
    gamommy2 Posts: 117 Member
    Username Gamommy2
    Steps 6870
  • DaffyGirl88
    DaffyGirl88 Posts: 5,110 Member
    @CycleMomOf3 I'm not sure where you've seen 8 or 11 pound losses in a week. That only happens on TV. I have seen a couple of 5 or 6 pound losses but those were often preceded by a similar sodium/water weight gain the previous week. This is a fictitious game with a bunch of strangers on the internet. I could be a 400 lb man with nothing better to do with my time than create fake profiles on internet forums. Don't let yourself get hung up on beating someone whose posted loss is on the honor system. That probably sounds more cynical than I mean but there it is. 🤷‍♀️ I always think that when someone apologizes for gaining weight and letting the team down.

    Having said that...I don't think you should leave. I'm also competitive, which you'd know if you were ever in a Fitbit challenge with me. 🤣🤣 I come here because most of us are NOT internet trolls. We are like minded people who are trying to be healthy and active and enjoy our lives. Sometimes we lose, sometimes we gain, but we're here to support each other along the way. 🥰

    Enjoy your Sunday everyone!
  • rawrxamberx
    rawrxamberx Posts: 646 Member
    I'm weighing in because if I don't I'll put on even more pounds.

    It won't look good for the group stats, but it will make me face up to where I am.

    I didn't weigh in on Wednesday, my usual day, but I weiged in yesterday, Thursday, and I was 139.2lbs. I am determined not to go back to the 140s

    I feel you one hundred percent! This week was my “coming back” week if you will. Like I’ve been here, but this week it hit me hard that I need to get myself together.
    But we as humans should not be dwelling on the past, but look forward to the future. I’m trying so hard to change that mindset. Cuz I think that contributes to me not committing as much.

    We got this hun! Let’s conquer this together 🙂
  • annabananamc
    annabananamc Posts: 415 Member
    argh, I got a free fitbit for my son and now found out my own fitbit didn't sync for three days, so I've been battling the bluetooth this morning. I think I finally got it fixed. I went to log everything and noticed the spreadsheet had changed from MUAC or steps and water. Are we simplifying things now @HASWLRS and @cmhubbard92? I think I may take next week off of tracking anyway being in the middle of nowhere without cell service or wifi. I'll do my final July weigh-in tomorrow, just a few days early.

    @cyclemomof3 - I hope you stay. We sound so similar and I know that this works when we work it. When I am careful with exercise and eating well, my weight loss post menopause is max .5lbs a week. Not like in my twenties when I could eat popcorn for a day or two and lose ten pounds! Your posts help ME stay on track, so I'd love it if you hang around. AND remember, ultimately, this is a competition with yourself for a healthier life (at least, that's what I keep telling my 'must get an A' personality). Focus on logging every day, staying under on your numbers, and exercise, and it will come together.

    Yesterday we biked to the brewery again where a bbq truck was, and had that for lunch - so FUN to be able to do that. We have to get in shape because we have a BIG hiking trip with our son in December and I am determined to keep up. Good motivation for me!

    In happy news, my Covid test was negative so my trip to Utah is on!
  • cmhubbard92
    cmhubbard92 Posts: 5,064 Member
    @annabananamc yes, I have adjusted the step/water spreadsheet because it is much easier for me to view/complete results. The optional MUAC tracking was something I had added at the beginning of the year, but it was not intended to be used as official tracking. I decided to go back to the bare bones of tracking only steps/water, like it was originally set up. I'm sorry for any inconvenience! It was just getting cluttered when I look at the step/water spreadsheet. Enjoy your vacation! :)
  • maryc11
    maryc11 Posts: 415 Member
    One of the common characteristics of this group is we are all competitive. We can't resist comparing our success to that of others. The competition helps us stay on track and keeps the 'game' fresh. But for me, that is where it ends as far as comparison. I love the support of this team and I love seeing others be successful. I appreciate the venting of frustration and the 'picking myself up off the floor' attitude to start over with a new week. That is what is motivating to me now.

    My weight loss 'journey' (ug) could be really frustrating to another person. (not saying it is not frustrating to me, it just my journey). I am now slightly less in weight than I was in 2017, but not by much. In 2017, I entered a work sponsored Biggest Loser competition and finished 3rd overall. I lost a whopping 45 lbs (and finished 3rd!). I gained most of it back over the following years (and, of course, the COVID isolation). My sit down, computer focused job just added to the mix. In January, I was expected to return to the office but NONE of the clothes in my closet fit well and there were NO clothes in the stores I wanted to buy. Perfect storm.

    I wanted to console myself with yet another gallon of mint chocolate chip Blue Bell ice cream. I didn't. So, I thought, maybe Pecan, Pralines and Cream Blue Bell will do the trick. I didn't.

    I logged into MFP and found this group.

    In my less than successful 2017 competition, I was losing 4 lbs per week, but only if I spent 4 hours walking every Sunday morning at the park. Skip the walk, I gained ounces. Not terrible but how can you resist losing 4 lbs per week, right? I walked and walked. I felt great.

    I got nothing else done. I call it less than successful because it was not a sustainable life style for me.

    This time, I am losing, gaining, inconsistent. I am learning while I love refined sugar, it does not love me back. I retain water when I eat even a little and, honestly, feel very poorly. Last time, I didn't figure that out. Now I know a little more about how to eat to keep myself feeling healthy. I am losing slower. I am 4 years older than I was then. But age is not the reason. I know I can lose faster. I chose not to. This is my last 'diet' for weight loss and when it's over, I will be entrenched in a sustainable lifestyle that will serve me well as I continue to age.

    That is my goal.

    We are all here for different reasons. This is working for me. I hope the others who are here benefit from it as I am. I hope those of you who are here, stay. Because as you help yourself reach your goals, you are helping others.
  • CycleMomOf3
    CycleMomOf3 Posts: 336 Member
    Daily check-in, Saturday, 07.24.21:

    Tracked: Yes
    Under: Yes
    Exercise: Yes, 2.5hours/6.31 miles of upstream/downstream kayaking. My arms are feeling it this morning, but in a good, getting-stronger kind of way that I appreciate.

    Today, I'm taking the kids canoeing at one of the local lakes. Until they're stronger swimmers and better at following immediate, act-now directions, I'll keep them off moving river water. If the weather holds out, maybe a hike after that. This week, now that my bike is back from the shop, I am (finally) not needing to go to the gym in the AM, I'm going to (hopefully) get back out onto the gravel trails and mountain biking trails in the early AM instead, before the family is awake. Between the anti-masking there and a gym party foul (even pre-Covid) by a couple of dudes last week who decided to take the bikes directly on either side of me instead of, you know, giving me a machine between us when the gym was pretty much empty, I'm hating the gym even more! Outdoors for me!

    Enjoy your Sunday!
  • cmhubbard92
    cmhubbard92 Posts: 5,064 Member
    @annabananamc and @DaffyGirl88

    All of this. I'm 5'4" and 48yo. Pretty active, between running around with my kids, biking 3-5x/week for 10-20 mile rides each, and kayaking extensively on the weekends. I paddled upstream and downstream (6.5 miles) for 2.5 hours this morning and netted a whopping 486 calories. 💪🚣🌳🗻🙂 I have a daily allotment of 1200 calories and I don't eat my exercise calories.

    I am actually waffling with whether to continue with the challenge next month. I'm a competitive person, and I work out a pretty reasonable amount (for someone who has 8yo twins and a 5yo and is a primary parent), and I don't eat much, but I'm finding myself dissatisfied with a 1-2lb loss each week in comparison with some of these other loss logins - 6, 8, even 11 pounds in a week! My brain KNOWS that 1-2lbs is healthy (for me, at least) and will be more likely to result in long-term results, but I have to fight my competitive nature (to avoid disordered thinking about nutrition, health, weight loss, and exercise) that says to cut more, work more/harder to lose like the others are (even though I know I can't/shouldn't/won't, my journey is my own, slow and steady is healthier, etc. etc.) 🐢🐇🐢🐇🐢🐇

    On the other hand, I'm super grateful for finding such a supportive and fun group of fellow fitness seekers. So there's that.

    I'm a thinker by nature, so I'm just working through things in my head (and here, I guess) a bit. 🤷🤦💜💛💚💙❤

    Brain vs. Heart are at odds chez moi right now.

    @CycleMomOf3 I strongly encourage you to continue into the next month's challenge! You may think that you need to lose faster, or compare your loss to others in competition-neither of these are things you should or need to do. When you see some people lose 6, 8 or 10 pounds(I'm assuming on other teams here?), you have to keep in mind that many of those that are reporting such high losses are either losing water weight after a sodium-induced gain, or just beginning and losing a chunk of water weight, or people that weigh much more than you do, and can healthily lose that weight at that speed, but that doesn't last long. You are right that your results will eventually lead to long term results. Over-restricting yourself can definitely lead to speedy losses, but also can lead to quick return of weight.

    The support of this group has helped me for over 2 years, and I know that you will find it almost crucial to your weight loss if you stay here with us :) While we, as a team, do not continuously see wins month by month, we still lift each other up. One thing to also remember, while it is wonderful to lose and be one of the "top" losers at the end of the month, you should only take pride in that if you are losing in a way that will be sustainable over time.

    Remember that we are not competing against each other, only ourselves. No matter how big or small your losses are, you are here to make yourself healthier each day. You will succeed, and I hope our team can help you find that success! Some of the members here have been with the team for a very long time, and some have taken time away. Some leave permanently (and leave MFP as well), others later return at a higher weight, where they left off, or some are right back where they started. You have to decide if this group motivates you, as it motivates many of us. Even though I do not participate as often as I used to, I still find this group extremely motivating, and the team makes me want to continue with my losses. I hope that this group keeps you as a teammate, and that you're in this with us for the long haul :)
  • annabananamc
    annabananamc Posts: 415 Member
    @annabananamc yes, I have adjusted the step/water spreadsheet because it is much easier for me to view/complete results. The optional MUAC tracking was something I had added at the beginning of the year, but it was not intended to be used as official tracking. I decided to go back to the bare bones of tracking only steps/water, like it was originally set up. I'm sorry for any inconvenience! It was just getting cluttered when I look at the step/water spreadsheet. Enjoy your vacation! :)

    That makes a lot of sense, thanks for letting me know!

    Will we still be doing the MUAC here in our threads, or is that just too much? Maybe with so many of us seemingly struggling a bit lately (at least I am feeling overwhelmed a little) keeping it simpler is wiser. I love that you did that in the sheet for us!
  • cmhubbard92
    cmhubbard92 Posts: 5,064 Member
    maryc11 wrote: »
    One of the common characteristics of this group is we are all competitive. We can't resist comparing our success to that of others. The competition helps us stay on track and keeps the 'game' fresh. But for me, that is where it ends as far as comparison. I love the support of this team and I love seeing others be successful. I appreciate the venting of frustration and the 'picking myself up off the floor' attitude to start over with a new week. That is what is motivating to me now.

    My weight loss 'journey' (ug) could be really frustrating to another person. (not saying it is not frustrating to me, it just my journey). I am now slightly less in weight than I was in 2017, but not by much. In 2017, I entered a work sponsored Biggest Loser competition and finished 3rd overall. I lost a whopping 45 lbs (and finished 3rd!). I gained most of it back over the following years (and, of course, the COVID isolation). My sit down, computer focused job just added to the mix. In January, I was expected to return to the office but NONE of the clothes in my closet fit well and there were NO clothes in the stores I wanted to buy. Perfect storm.

    I wanted to console myself with yet another gallon of mint chocolate chip Blue Bell ice cream. I didn't. So, I thought, maybe Pecan, Pralines and Cream Blue Bell will do the trick. I didn't.

    I logged into MFP and found this group.

    In my less than successful 2017 competition, I was losing 4 lbs per week, but only if I spent 4 hours walking every Sunday morning at the park. Skip the walk, I gained ounces. Not terrible but how can you resist losing 4 lbs per week, right? I walked and walked. I felt great.

    I got nothing else done. I call it less than successful because it was not a sustainable life style for me.

    This time, I am losing, gaining, inconsistent. I am learning while I love refined sugar, it does not love me back. I retain water when I eat even a little and, honestly, feel very poorly. Last time, I didn't figure that out. Now I know a little more about how to eat to keep myself feeling healthy. I am losing slower. I am 4 years older than I was then. But age is not the reason. I know I can lose faster. I chose not to. This is my last 'diet' for weight loss and when it's over, I will be entrenched in a sustainable lifestyle that will serve me well as I continue to age.

    That is my goal.

    We are all here for different reasons. This is working for me. I hope the others who are here benefit from it as I am. I hope those of you who are here, stay. Because as you help yourself reach your goals, you are helping others.

    @maryc11 thank you for sharing your story!

    I can relate to the length of your journey! When I started in 2018, I weighed in at 248.8, and am currently hovering around 165. That is a huge chunk of weight, and I feel like my losses have not been adequate lately. I am almost over 80lb lost since 2018, but I feel as though I should be further along(at times). I look to this group for the motivation to keep going. Without this team, and the few non-weight challenges I participate in, I don't think I would have had the success that I have now.

    A few years before that(around 2014), I did not rely on MFP, and had lost 72lb(starting at the same starting weight) in 6 months. I gained that within two years, and was right back where I started before I started over on MFP. This time around, I have been more successful by losing at a much slower weight, and I plan on continue staying here, even when I officially hit my goal weight.

    I know you have that same drive, and you will achieve your goals, and you have a great plan ahead of you. Keep up the great work! May our team continue to motivate and support you! :heart:
  • maryc11
    maryc11 Posts: 415 Member
    <3
  • cmhubbard92
    cmhubbard92 Posts: 5,064 Member
    @annabananamc yes, I have adjusted the step/water spreadsheet because it is much easier for me to view/complete results. The optional MUAC tracking was something I had added at the beginning of the year, but it was not intended to be used as official tracking. I decided to go back to the bare bones of tracking only steps/water, like it was originally set up. I'm sorry for any inconvenience! It was just getting cluttered when I look at the step/water spreadsheet. Enjoy your vacation! :)

    That makes a lot of sense, thanks for letting me know!

    Will we still be doing the MUAC here in our threads, or is that just too much? Maybe with so many of us seemingly struggling a bit lately (at least I am feeling overwhelmed a little) keeping it simpler is wiser. I love that you did that in the sheet for us!

    @annabananamc that would be up to @HASWLRS to decide, as she is the one leading the MUAC. I'm pretty sure it's fine to continue posting in the thread, as that was how it was originally done :) You're not the only one struggling, either! While I haven't been participating in MUAC, I have been trying to hit daily goals outside of our group, and need to get a little better at that again! :)
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    @annabananamc yes, I have adjusted the step/water spreadsheet because it is much easier for me to view/complete results. The optional MUAC tracking was something I had added at the beginning of the year, but it was not intended to be used as official tracking. I decided to go back to the bare bones of tracking only steps/water, like it was originally set up. I'm sorry for any inconvenience! It was just getting cluttered when I look at the step/water spreadsheet. Enjoy your vacation! :)

    That makes a lot of sense, thanks for letting me know!

    Will we still be doing the MUAC here in our threads, or is that just too much? Maybe with so many of us seemingly struggling a bit lately (at least I am feeling overwhelmed a little) keeping it simpler is wiser. I love that you did that in the sheet for us!

    @annabananamc that would be up to @HASWLRS to decide, as she is the one leading the MUAC. I'm pretty sure it's fine to continue posting in the thread, as that was how it was originally done :) You're not the only one struggling, either! While I haven't been participating in MUAC, I have been trying to hit daily goals outside of our group, and need to get a little better at that again! :)

    @annabananamc and @cmhubbard92 Good afternoon, ladies.

    Yes, I usually only look at posts made in the thread to do the MUAC. I have looked at the spreadsheet in the past, but this month I didn't even know where to find it!
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    @maryc11 Thank you for sharing your story. A lot of it resonated with me. I want to do it all at once, and when I can't, I end up not doing it at all! You said, after one of your successful weight loss runs, that you got nothing done (and therefore it was not actually successful). That is me!! When I am succeeding I get nothing else done. Well, that can only go on for so long, and then it all comes crashing down, with everything needing to be done at once. I truly need to wrap my head around the slower is better than not at all, and much better than gaining!!

    I was actually going to leave this group for August, as my husband is off for three weeks (finally!!), but after all the latest discussions, I will stick around.
  • annabananamc
    annabananamc Posts: 415 Member
    HASWLRS wrote: »

    @annabananamc and @cmhubbard92 Good afternoon, ladies.

    Yes, I usually only look at posts made in the thread to do the MUAC. I have looked at the spreadsheet in the past, but this month I didn't even know where to find it!

    That is so funny, because I assumed the opposite and have been so careful to log it in the spreadsheet but not always in the chat thread.

    I am working through some personal stuff in preparation for a course I'm taking next week, and I think me doing all these technical things wrong is a super learning experience for me. It's almost like the Universe planned it!

    I am really good at logging food on MFP, and at staying under about 95%+ of the time, plus I ALWAYS drink enough water because FLORIDA....so I am going to bow out of MUAC for August. However, I will be tracking my steps with my fitbit and I will continue to join you all here because I am still learning and growing and you all help me so much!

  • prehistoricmoongoddess
    prehistoricmoongoddess Posts: 1,002 Member
    I'm weighing in because if I don't I'll put on even more pounds.

    It won't look good for the group stats, but it will make me face up to where I am.

    I didn't weigh in on Wednesday, my usual day, but I weiged in yesterday, Thursday, and I was 139.2lbs. I am determined not to go back to the 140s

    I feel you one hundred percent! This week was my “coming back” week if you will. Like I’ve been here, but this week it hit me hard that I need to get myself together.
    But we as humans should not be dwelling on the past, but look forward to the future. I’m trying so hard to change that mindset. Cuz I think that contributes to me not committing as much.

    We got this hun! Let’s conquer this together 🙂

    Thank you @rawrxamberx

    I could go on about why the last few weeks have caused problems, but I'm putting all that behind me. What matters is how I react each day going forward.

    I'll make a point of checking your progress going forward

    frogletina
  • maryc11
    maryc11 Posts: 415 Member
    user name = maryc11
    Date = Sunday July 25, 2021
    Tracked = Yes
    Exercise = Yes
    Under = Yes
    Water = 68 oz
    Steps = 5,780
  • gamommy2
    gamommy2 Posts: 117 Member
    Username Gamommy2
    Steps 6086
  • CycleMomOf3
    CycleMomOf3 Posts: 336 Member
    Sunday, July 25 check-in:

    Tracked: Yes
    Under: Yes
    Exercise: Yes, I took the kids out kayaking on one of the local lakes for about 2 hours this afternoon.
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Sunday, the 25th

    logged: yes
    under: yes
    exercise: yes, a 42 minute walk

    water: yes, 12 cups
    steps: 13,125

    So, I had another good Sunday.... It's the Mondays that I have to work on!!
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    I could go on about why the last few weeks have caused problems, but I'm putting all that behind me. What matters is how I react each day going forward.

    @prehistoricmoongoddess Very sound thinking.... We cannot go back and we cannot undo the past; we can only go forward and make sound decisions based on what the past has taught us.
  • annabananamc
    annabananamc Posts: 415 Member
    So today I learned how to export my fitbit data and import it to my Garmin. Both devices already sync to MFP. Aye-yi-yi that's a lot of tech for me to mess up!!!

    I started the day with my walk because I just have to - otherwise I delay and it doesn't happen. If I end up having time for two - more's the better.

    I had a dentist appointment and ANOTHER yikes - I'm ready for braces to correct my cross bite and line things up (again) better. I don't know about a 59.5 year old with braces, but that is what I'll be.

    And, tomorrow morning I head to Utah! Lots of sitting and learning, but also I hope some hiking and maybe even horseback riding - wheee. I'll weigh in for the final before I head to the airport tomorrow.
  • cmhubbard92
    cmhubbard92 Posts: 5,064 Member
    7/26/21
    Tracked yes
    Under yes
    Exercise yes
    Steps 11,108
    Water 80.9oz
  • cmhubbard92
    cmhubbard92 Posts: 5,064 Member
    @annabananamc you'll rock your braces, I'm sure! Enjoy your trip and I hope you can share some pictures when you get back!
  • cmhubbard92
    cmhubbard92 Posts: 5,064 Member
    edited July 2021
    If anyone is interested in joining a Game of Thrones Challenge, please join the group at the link below! There is a new Challenge beginning August 8th, and it will run for 11 weeks. There are weekly cardio, flex, and strength goals, food challenges, a small council challenge and a punishment for each week's losing teams. If you are looking for an extra way to increase your fitness, join us!!! It will be challenging, but fun! :)

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128738-game-of-thrones-the-challenge-season-4

    @DaffyGirl88 I know you were interested! :)
This discussion has been closed.