Feedback Please!

Ceriusly1

Your OALs would like to have your thoughts on the new format that was used for the 2024 Fall Challenge. Thank you in advance for sharing.

DNjoys

I was confused at first by what you mean by "new format". But I'm guessing you mean the foot race rather than flying with specific destinations. I'm good with it. Having researched and written destinations myself (mostly for IBC), I know how much work it is. While the destinations are interesting, and I always at least scan them, I'll admit I don't always take the time to carefully read them, and I know I'm not alone in that. I'm really not sure it's worth the work that goes into it when we can accomplish our goal without it. If someone has the time and interest to create the destination write ups, I have no objections. It does bring added interest even when not carefully read. But when leaders are stretched for time, I'm okay with letting it go.

EclipsedAgain

I’m happy with this format. It’s much easier to understand and makes more sense than landing a plane.

Kateljm

I don't see much difference between landing a plane and breaking a ribbon. It gave team leaders an excuse to find new memes, so that was a plus.

I found the Healthy Habit for Protein to be very strict, and disastrous for my weight loss, cuz I tend to be competitive, but I resent being short and therefore deprived of more flexibility in caloric intake, and being old and therefore more limited in ambitious cardio. (I also had to contend with a change in DH's hunting schedule; I normally have free rein this time of year, but he lost his main hunting outlet for October and early November, plus he suffered another reminder of "last man standing" (fewer friends still living).)

Why on earth did you all set an upper limit on Fiber? Just worry about getting sort of enough. Most people get hardly any, and that's why the "bar" is set low, so they won't get discouraged. (Just like the recommendations to get 150 minutes of exercise in a week: people need more, but authorities don't want to overwhelm people with a higher bar.)

cmfarrell36

Have to agree with @Kateljm .

It was good to be able to claim points for trying to get the fibre. Plus or minus 3 seems very arbitrary, but I suppose you have to provide a number in some way.

But surely the bonus points for protein should have been for trying to do protein from food rather than supplements whether or not we managed to get within plus/minus an individual protein total?

But it was certainly interesting to meet some new challenges for healthy lifestyle - thank you.

Dianedoessmiles1

cmfarrell36 wrote: »

Have to agree with @Kateljm .

It was good to be able to claim points for trying to get the fibre. Plus or minus 3 seems very arbitrary, but I suppose you have to provide a number in some way.

But surely the bonus points for protein should have been for trying to do protein from food rather than supplements whether or not we managed to get within plus/minus an individual protein total?

But it was certainly interesting to meet some new challenges for healthy lifestyle - thank you.

Awwww TY TY TY for the positive feedback. Week 6 protein read as: ✔️To score points this week
Using your MFP Nutrition Tracker (or whatever you use), please view what your daily allowance should be. (This number may be different for different people). If you are within 5 grams of your protein goal (either over or under), you have earned 10 points. Add an additional 2 points if you have reached this goal by eating Using your MFP Nutrition Tracker (or whatever you use), please view what your daily allowance should be. (This number may be different for different people). If you are within 5 grams of your protein goal (either over or under), you have earned 10 points. Add an additional 2 points if you have reached this goal by eating food only (not including supplements/powders etc though in many diets they are essential) You may count any supplements/powders etc in your 10 points just not the bonus. Why not? We are striving to see how our members are doing with food and nutrition. Keep in mind this is a challenge, for myself and many others, getting enough protein through food is a challenge

We are loving the feedback. We are hoping more will comment here.

cinebibliophile

My thoughts —

As this was my first challenge, I didn’t know this was a changed format until I asked about some of the terms (flight attendants?). I didn’t have much of an issue with the format itself, but ….

*** I personally disliked the prompts to ‘post your data if you haven’t already because two teams already broke their ribbon’. Some have multiple jobs, families, etc, and can’t check in every day. I also don’t think I fully understood before joining that this challenge required a daily check in, so that could be my fault.

*** The lack of weekly updates - the participants who enjoy the progress of a challenge can get bored without updates. There hasn’t been an overall status update since week 3 — it’s hard to motivate some to reach goals or ‘beat’ another team in a vacuum.

*** lack of response to questions — in a weekly thread on a team board, I asked a clarifying question on the rules (I don’t recall which week) — the question was never answered.

I get it — people are busy, life happens, and this is all volunteer, and I appreciate the opportunity to participate, but from before the challenge even started, there were issues. (I STILL don’t understand why a date was set to RSVP to a group invite & then that invitation was canceled/deleted before the date arrived.)

Retired_Sue

I was fine with the changed format - race instead of flying to destinations each week. As DNjoys mentioned, most don't read all of that information anyway so while it is interesting, it is a lot of work that often goes unnoticed.

I had no problem personally with the protein or fibre goals since those are areas that I concentrate on as a rule anyway. Most of my team seemed to be hitting their protein goals almost every day. Fibre I know can be more difficult since it's not always something that people look at, so being able to earn some points for trying to include more fibre rich foods I'm sure helped many to give it a shot.
What did concern my whole leadership team on Fit Force and a number of my team members, was the lack of flexibility on meal planning - not being able to earn points for the meals that one did successfully plan and eat if one meal was not eaten as planned. We all felt that demanding perfect execution when it comes to food, is not a healthy attitude to expect, when we often tell members to celebrate the steps that they do take to improve their health and eating.
I do appreciate all the work that our OAL team puts into planning each challenge so thanks for all of your hard work during the fall when I know that some of you had some challenging circumstances to deal with in your own lives.

colleentalamantes

This was my first challenge plus I’m pretty new to MFP. I don’t have a preference for the mile or destination format as I see both as motivating. I found the protein portion very challenging as I would be under one day and overshoot the next. I got pretty frustrated until I read something to the effect of “challenges are not supposed to be easy.”

nansbones7708

I liked the new format of just walking. I was able to make my own destination each day to get to and from a destination that took me through my personal challenge of 10000 steps per day.
e.g. milk run to the supermarket with a backpack when I needed it.

While I didn’t once meet the protein or fibre goals I appreciated the wake up call. My competitive spirit will challenge me to get there gradually FOR MY OWN BENEFIT.

I’ll concentrate on these two for a couple of weeks then I may just tackle my personal nemesis. Drinking water! I know it must be doable since I stopped drinking coffee a couple of months back because I suspected it was causing my tummy grumbles and I don’t miss it.

A challenge isn’t a challenge if it doesn’t challenge!
Just as monkey won’t find swinging through trees challenging so doing things you do automatically, like brushing your teeth everyday isn’t a challenge.
You do a great job and some folk don’t appreciate the time you give up to set them up.

StayFITTer

@cinebibliophile

The prompts are super helpful (for me). And drives those who are competitive and/or desire to be a good team player. I can’t stand chatting all the time, but I will try to give you what you need (which are my points).

You are free post up your miles no later than Saturday—however the “motivation” is that you are on a team and as a team player you want to do what it takes to get your team across the finish line and not horde points that can help get them there.

You don’t have to post every day, but strategically in away that honors your personal rhythm and not hold up the team from making progress. Therefore posting by Monday/early in the week at least your exercise minutes is most helpful to the team.

In the beginning, I didn’t get it either and use to post my points on Friday all the time. That was “technically” fine and keeps you in good standing. But—the goal is to reach the goal (ie breaking the ribbon) as quick as possible and that’ll only work if everybody works.

Sorry about the other glitches you’ve experience, but congrats on completing your first 5% challenge.

When asking questions, Be sure to tag a leader (multiple if possible) anytime you have a question because if you have an active thread, things can get lost in the shuffle. I’ve even requested that they tag me in return so I don’t miss important stuff. Or better yet, message them directly—it feels really personal, connected and you’ve got a “paper trail”.

Ceriusly1

@StayFITTer @cinebibliophile

StayFITTer, thank you for responding to cinebibliophile. You answered the concerns perfectly!

Cinebibliophile, Thank you for responding to this post! We welcome all feedback. I'm happy you stuck with us and hope to see you back for winter. On 10/31, my mom fell and fractured her neck in two places. After that, any time I spent online was reserved for necessary tasks related to running the challenge. It takes a lot of time to do the weekly reports, so given my home situation, reports were not a priority. I will have a final report as soon as I can after the Fall challenge is over.

This is a screenshot of the post with the team descriptions.


I'm sorry you didn't get the team you chose. We wait as long as we can before shuffling names around, but balancing the teams takes priority, so the final date to pick up invitations is changeable. That is why we stress picking up invitations as soon as possible. I will make sure to note that the date can change in future challenges. Please feel free to choose the team that was your first choice for the fall in the winter challenge. I'm sure your fall teammates will miss you.

Thanks everyone for sharing your feedback! It helps us as we plan the next challenge.