START HERE - Group Rules + Welcome + Introductions
deskjockey925
Posts: 6,323 Member
Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of the Ultimate Accountability Challenge (UAC).
❓New here? Click the spoiler to learn how this group works. (Rules and other info.)
❗As a UAC member, you will:
❗ The 3 daily rules:
Each member is expected to report in within three days of each check-in day. This is to help us build helpful new habits through daily consistency. You may check in later if needed, but this counts as a pass day. If you do need to check in late, you are free to post a combined check-in to catch up.
❓ What's a pass day?
Whenever you do not observe all 4 UAC rules, any day, for any reason, that day is considered a pass day. Pass days can happen due to injury/illness, emotional eating, lack of planning, family issues, busy schedule, forgetfulness, vacations/celebrations, hormone fluctuations, "didn't feel up to it," or a myriad of other reasons. We will never judge anyone for taking a pass day: they exist as a tool for you to keep track, and learn where you can improve.
🏆 The UAC celebrates its Winners every month!
A Winner is a member who had 3 or fewer pass days during the previous month. This is a noble and fun goal to strive for, but please know that Winner status is NOT necessary for you to meet your health goals. We also celebrate our Champions, who exceeded their monthly pass day limit but continued to check in every day of the month. And last but not least, even if you find yourself struggling, as long as you are here we consider you a Learner, and that is your first step to a better future! So always count those pass days, always aim to improve, and -- most importantly -- keep coming back every day.
- Be accountable to yourself in your own health journey.
- Post every day in that day's check-in thread. Look for the check-in threads on the Ultimate Accountability group page: scroll down past the ANNOUNCEMENTS threads until you see DISCUSSIONS. When you check in for the day, please state whether you followed each of the three daily rules below; and include your tally of pass days for the month. (Scroll down to learn about pass days.)
- Be honest with your check-ins. If you cheat, you are only hurting yourself. Our group exists not to police each other, but to provide a friendly environment for learning, self-improvement, and mutual support
❗ The 3 daily rules:
- EXERCISE EVERY DAY FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES. We define exercise as an intentional and planned choice to be active beyond your "run of the mill" day to day activities. This can be chair yoga, physiotherapy, running, swimming, aerobics, weight-lifting, dancing, vacuuming, washing windows, or anything else that gets your body moving beyond your general daily movement. You can do a mix of activities, and you do not have to do all 20 minutes at once.
- CONSUME ONLY YOUR BUDGETED CALORIES. Set your own personal calorie goal for the day, and don't exceed it. (Yes you may "eat back exercise calories" if you wish.) Any day that you went over what you planned, it is considered a pass day. We are happy to help if you would like help figuring out how to set a calorie goal for yourself.
- TRACK ALL THE CALORIES YOU EAT AND DRINK. How you choose to track is up to you: you may use a paper tracker or journal, MyFitnessPal, another app/website, or any other (online or offline) tool that works for you. And, you guessed it: anytime you skip a day, for any reason, it is a pass day. Please note: Some folks fret about finding an "exact" match on their tracker. We encourage you to find the best possible match and if in doubt about a meal or snack when dining out, overestimate.
Each member is expected to report in within three days of each check-in day. This is to help us build helpful new habits through daily consistency. You may check in later if needed, but this counts as a pass day. If you do need to check in late, you are free to post a combined check-in to catch up.
❓ What's a pass day?
Whenever you do not observe all 4 UAC rules, any day, for any reason, that day is considered a pass day. Pass days can happen due to injury/illness, emotional eating, lack of planning, family issues, busy schedule, forgetfulness, vacations/celebrations, hormone fluctuations, "didn't feel up to it," or a myriad of other reasons. We will never judge anyone for taking a pass day: they exist as a tool for you to keep track, and learn where you can improve.
🏆 The UAC celebrates its Winners every month!
A Winner is a member who had 3 or fewer pass days during the previous month. This is a noble and fun goal to strive for, but please know that Winner status is NOT necessary for you to meet your health goals. We also celebrate our Champions, who exceeded their monthly pass day limit but continued to check in every day of the month. And last but not least, even if you find yourself struggling, as long as you are here we consider you a Learner, and that is your first step to a better future! So always count those pass days, always aim to improve, and -- most importantly -- keep coming back every day.
👋😁 To all new and returning members:
We are happy to have you with us! We invite you to introduce yourself below. Please feel free to include as much information as you feel comfortable sharing about yourself. We look forward to getting to know you a little better. Any questions, please ask any group member. We hope you enjoy your time here.
❓ Quick hints to help you navigate the group:
- Please do NOT open any threads in the Discussion area: they will be deleted. Discussions are set up as one post per day of the month. If you have questions please ask in the daily thread, or in the What's on your mind today? thread.
- Click the little flag icon in the top right corner of any thread that interests you. When the flag is blue, you will receive a notification anytime someone posts to the thread. To unsubscribe, simply click the flag again to turn it white. Please note: there is currently a technical issue with this function. You can still bookmark, but you have to go into each thread and then bookmark it… MFP says they will fix this issue, but probably not right away. The easiest work-around is to right-click each day’s thread from the list (opening each day in a separate tab) and then hit the subscribe flag on each thread, closing the tabs as you go.
- You can use the "Quote" function at the bottom of every post in this group, to copy what someone previously wrote and then respond to it.
- If you would like to respond directly to what another group member wrote, add an @ right in front of their username, like so: @username (This will tag the person you are responding to, and they will receive a notification.)
- In order to see whether someone has tagged you, click/tap the bell in the top right hand corner of your screen, and check your notifications. If you are using the app, first access Community mode, then tap your avatar in the top right corner, then tap the bell. (You must have notifications turned on.)
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Replies
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I’m Nan, from Scotland and a returning truer.
I’ve started most of 2024 and never managed to finish any month.
I’m hoping to may a better job of things in 2025
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Hi 👋
I'm Kat, I live in Scotland with my husband and two young kids. I managed winners circle August through November and managed to hit my goal weight by mid December, but I decided to take my foot off the gas a bit over the last week or so and take a break from tracking and more intense exercise to allow myself to recover from a few running injuries.
I'm excited to get back at it in January - I love running, climbing, swimming, hiking and just being outdoors and active!
Have a great month everyone 💞1 -
Hello All - I am Jo Ann and live in Texas in the Dallas area. I am new and looking forward to learning more about this group.4
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I'm Dory. I live in South Africa so we are in the middle of summer which is definitely my favourite time of year. I have an active job and train a couple of martial arts as well as hike regularly. Life has got in the way in the last while though and my weight is slowly heading upwards. I need to get back into routine of training hard regularly and eating well to drop the excess I have acquired and because life is easier to manage when I'm active and well fueled.
Signed up for a couple of MFP challenges and doing 75 hard myself in the new year (well, from 5 January as my work wife is getting married on 4 Jan before she moves to Australia with her Aussie.) I intend to stick to the plan from today though, with only that day as a pass.2 -
Hi, I'm Terry. I haven't tried this before but definitely need to do it and be accountable. Well here we go! Good luck everyone!1
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Hi I'm B nice to meet you all
I'm a Brit living in the US, l lost 50lbs over two years and managed to keep it off for a while by being very active and watching my calorie intake. Then l got stressed at work, wasn't as active and started allowing myself treats and put 30lbs back on.
I have lost weight several times and it always goes back on at some point. I have always had an all or nothing mindset and no pain no gain etc. I'm very tough on myself when trying to loose weight.
So l'm trying again but l will be nicer to myself this time and take a different approach such as joining this group.
Let's have a great month!3 -
Hi all, I've been with the UAC since July of 2023. I lost about 80 lbs...
... and then 2024 turned out to be extremely challenging for me on several levels. Among other things I had to pause my weight loss efforts for several months (doctor's orders!) to deal with some health issues. I did re-gain some weight in November/December, but I kept working on my 3 UAC habits...
... and it's looking like I will end 2024 with a small weight loss. I'm really pleased with how the changes I have made are continuing to serve me well. Thanks to food tracking, daily exercise, and my daily check-ins with this group, I'm in MUCH better shape now than I was a couple years ago!
My doctor has cleared me to start losing some more weight, and I'm excited for 2025. Let's do this 2 -
A warm welcome to our newest members:
@TEXASTITCHER we look forward to learning more about you, too Are you a teacher by any chance?
@Dory_42 good on you for recommitting to your health, before the extra weight has any real chance of reappearing
@dashtmh24 I like your enthusiasm! The UAC has been a great tool for me in being accountable for my own progress. I hope you find it as helpful as I do.
@DarkNightBrightDays I'm pretty sure most of us here have lost & regained weight repeatedly. One thing I love about this group is that some of our members have successfully lost weight and are now maintaining their healthy weight. I have learned a lot from them about weight maintenance (a concept I never thought about before I found this group!). With my new knowledge I know that this time around, I will NOT re-gain the weight. I like your new focus on being kind to yourself
Thank you all for saying hi and introducing yourselves. We're happy to have you here with us.
Welcome also to our other newbies:
@theunsvanaardt @mesrabenyamin @betsysimac @betsysimac @Ximenisima2017 @avbrinck @ngarrett479 @donnafrancis @trishhowellgreen @susanslodge2441
Don't be shy, tell us a little bit about yourself and/or your goals. And please let us know if you have any questions.1 -
@TEXASTITCHER Welcome to the UAC I think you will like this group so much support and ideas that are shared.
I am Kate I live in NY by the Canadian border about 45 minutes away on a clear day one can see Montreal from one of the Adirondack peaks. I enjoy walking, snowshoeing, kayaking mountain biking and road biking. Wishing everyone a successful month.2 -
I'm Dee from Colorado. I've done this challenge several times in the past and really enjoyed it. I'm a challenge junkie and am really looking forward to doing this challenge again!!3
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So great to meet you
@TEXASTITCHER
@Dory_42
@dashtmh24
@DarkNightBrightDays
Welcome to this wonderful group! Thank you for sharing a bit about yourselves and your goals. This is such a friendly and motivating space where I have turned to with success. I hope you do, too!
I live in a big city in the US with my husband and two kids. I love being active and eat lots of home-cooked whole-foods meals. That hadn’t stopped me from “accidentally” gaining almost 15lbs without realizing it.
I have successfully used MFP three times in the past (twice after each of my kids was born and once after gaining 7 lbs).
I am trying to get to be 5lbs over my former normal weight. This group has helped me get 3lbs away from that goal since June (8.5lbs lost). I will be very surprised when I get to my goal weight in the end. I always seem right on the verge of doing so!
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Welcome new members!
I'm Vicki from Western New York. I've done a half dozen UA Challenges but have never finished a month. The simple (but challenging) goals format here suits me well. I continue to be inspired by the great support here. I retired this past December and am planning for 2025 to be the Year of Me with health and wellness.
Wishing everyone a super successful January Challenge!4 -
Welcome New & Returning Members 👋
I'm Diane from Delaware and enjoy committing to this challenge every month!
Tracking my nutrition and exercise keeps me on track, plus I love learning something new from the posts each and every day.3 -
@vtoria3 Congrats on your retirement, here’s to a fabulous ✨ Year of You ✨1
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takinitalloff wrote: »@vtoria3 Congrats on your retirement, here’s to a fabulous ✨ Year of You ✨
Thank you!1 -
Welcome newcomers: @theunsvanaardt @mesrabenyamin @betsysimac @betsysimac @Ximenisima2017 @avbrinck @ngarrett479 @donnafrancis @trishhowellgreen @susanslodge2441
Hello everyone, I am DJ from Florida. 2024 has been a rough year for me and I have found the knowledge & inspiring conversation of this group to be a great benefit to me. One of the many lessons I am learning is that even though I have been successful at these simple goals in the past, sometimes we are in new circumstances or schedules and we become learners again. We never fail unless we quit trying. I am excited for a new start. Let's make our healthy lives a fun adventure.2 -
Welcome also to our latest new members: @PennyBrew87 @anxietyfairy @Re8eca @MergeP @WindyHarvey
Don't be shy, say hello and tell us a little bit about yourself if you'd like.
You can find some group info at the top of this page, and our Frequently Asked Questions has more information.
And here's our January 1 check-in thread -- see you all there!0 -
Good morning! I am Elsien, live in southern France and have been on MFP for some 15 years.
I've been in and out of UAC since 2018, with my weight topping 82.4 kg at some point (I'm 1m 68cm) but I have now done a solid eight months on MFP, building healthy habits and have lost more than 15 kg. This last month I have been attempting to maintain my ideal weight of 62.5kg. Starting out at 62.2 kg this morning. Message to all: if I can do it, so can you, but you have to stick the course.
Hello @Dory_42, it's lovely to see you on here again! It's been a while! And of course a big hi to my other fellow health travellers and welcome to new members.3 -
Hey everyone, I'm Charissa. I have been with UAC for over two years! The support and motivation from this community are incredible and keep me coming back whether I'm doing well or not. To all the new members, welcome aboard! You're in for some great insights and encouragement with this group!
I am 64, and my weight has fluctuated with a gradual increase for the last 30 years. I did really well at the beginning of 2023, but some life-changing events erased that progress, and I started 2024 with a net 0. More life changes, most positive and once again I undid all the good for 2024 and and starting up 7lbs.
I have tried several things, some worked, some worked for a while and some didn’t work at all. I am rededicating for 2025.
Q: What will be different in 2025 vs all the other times?
A: Change in my mindset
A: Being mindful and engaged
A: Addressing the elephant in the room!
A: No excuses
I know what to do, I just need to consistently do them!!
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So happy to see all the new members joining us.
@TEXASTITCHER ~ Welcome , Jo Ann, to our group. I think I’m in another group with you… I think???? Anyway, .. Take a look around and let us know if you have any questions.
@Dinks2422 ~ Hi Terry, Welcome to UAC. You will love it here.
@darknightbrightdays ~ Welcome. I’m glad that you found your way to UAC. We are here to support you and celebrate your success!
@ualflygirldm ~ welcome back to UAC. Glad you found us again.
@Dory_42 ~ I envy you being in the middle of summer. I’m in the central US and winter is about to kick in full blast and I am not ready!
Also welcome and please drop in and say hi and introduce yourself:
@theunsvanaardt @mesrabenyamin @betsysimac @betsysimac @Ximenisima2017 @avbrinck @ngarrett479 @donnafrancis @trishhowellgreen @susanslodge2441
@PennyBrew87 @anxietyfairy @Re8eca @MergeP @WindyHarvey
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Our fearless leaders 😊 @takinitalloff and @deskjockey925 return to guide us on this journey!! Thank you.
@nansbones7708 ~ Welcome back to UAC
@kathrynclimbs ~ We all need a break from time to time. Happy to see you back.
@snowshoe072 – Glad to see you here!
@vtoria3 ~ I look forward to seeing your Year of health and wellness~ Congrats on retirement! I’m semi there… 😊
@Learningmoments ~ I can’t wait to see your 2025. We are always learning and frankly, I like it that way!!
Hi @awkwardhaircut ~ nice to see you back.
@Chinkiri ~ Congrats on your solid 8 months with MFP and being here with UAC. We appreciate you!
If you haven't done so already, there's still space available to grab a day or two to drop some wisdom for the group by being a content creator.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10929443/january-volunteers-please-post-below-to-sign-up-for-a-day-or-two#latest
Newbies ~ you TOO can be a content creator. Check it out, pick a day and give it a try.
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... adding to all the other nice welcomes above: We also welcome our newest new members @BIDRN and @Maggie_MJ
We're happy to have you here with us, come say hello when you have a moment!0 -
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