TeamJ - Sept Challenge

PandaFit450

Ladies - this is our team

1. Juleswatkins (Team Captain)
2. Trimom63 (Team Captain)
3. ruelman83
4. Chii85
5. AmerTunsi
6. DavyRockhit
7. QueenFe
8. littlemount
9. Monica_has_a_goal
10. suse75

Please start adding each other as friends :bigsmile: As you can see we have 2 captains - Jill (trimom63) and I are both going to lead the team - double trouble for you ladies - as this means that there will ALWAYS be someone around to support/motivate you!!

We need a Team name - Team J is temporary, just so I can start passing info on! Any suggestions??

I will be updating this blog regularly between now & the start of the challenge - please get into the habit of checking in. Thanks

PandaFit450

Ok, so time for some introductions -

Hi,
I'm Jules! I'm 45 and I live in the UK. I have 2 grown-up boys (20 and 16) and I work as a Student Counsellor for the local government.

I've struggled with my weight since my teens - a typical yo-yo dieter! I was over 17st (243lbs) at my heaviest and now weigh 12st9lbs (176.6lbs). I joined MFP in May of this year and it was the BEST thing I've done!

Last year my husband suffered a heart attack at the age of 42 -whilst it was a huge shock to all of us at the time - our lifestyle had contributed to it over many years (too much junk food, not enough exercise......). So our lives changed for the better. However, for me it was starting MFP that really changed my life!!

I am loving the August challenge and cannot wait for September!!

LolasEpicJourney

I'm lorah. Twenty six year old from ontario canada. I have had weight issues most of my life that stemmed into and eating disorder. After recovering I went to the other extreme and was over 300 lbs. Since joining mfp in march I have lost 42 lbs and still going. My husband and I want to start in the family, and I fear my weight is standing in the way of me getting pregnant. I'm happy to be joining this challenge with all of you! Lets kick septembers butt!

ruelman83

Hello! My name is Randi, and I'm 27 yrs old, from Luxemburg, WI (about 20 minutes from Green Bay). GO PACKERS! I work from home for Humana Health Insurance as a Service Operations Specialist, meaning, I am the person that reads our members medical records to verify if they were honest with us at time of application. If I find that they lied, I then have opportunities to deny their claims or worse, cancel their policies. I'm the person they love to hate! But, I do love my job! Definitely get to learn different things about different people on a daily basis! I also have my Cosmetology License, so when I'm not working for Humana, I have clients coming to my house and having me Cut, Color, Style their hair in my salon (in the basement). I have been overweight pretty much as long as I can remember! Just by looking at school yearbooks, I can tell the weight began to pack on around the 3rd grade. I basically grew up eating junk food and drinking a lot of soda. I am married to Jeff, have to step daughters, Adriana (13) and Ally (11), and we have a son together, Aiden (3). We also have an Orange Tabby Cat named Sydney. I've found it it's getting harder to keep up w/ their daily activities and decided I need to change my life. I've also been on medication since I was pregnant with Aiden for Hypothyroidism and my medication has recently increased from 25MCG, to 50MCG, and now 100MCG. That is what scared me! I need to change. I began a new diet on Monday, Aug 15, and so far have lost 6lbs. My starting weight was 238lbs (that is the heaviest I've ever been). I'm so glad to have found this website. I honestly feel that this diet and this "group" will be my ultimate motivation for getting the job done this time! I also have a goal planned w/ my Mom (who is also overweight), that when we BOTH lose 50lbs, we are going on vacation together to South Padre Island, TX. And when we BOTH lose 100lbs, we are going on vacation together somewhere in the Carribean! I can't wait. My deadline for goal #1 is the end of February! I really hope I can push it and get it done! Thanks again for asking me to be on this team! I can't wait!

trimom63

Ok, I guess I better get my intro in quickly since I'm a co-captain! I'm Jill, 48 yrs old, wife and mom from Colorado! My kids are teens and older now...17, 18, 20, and 21, so it was time to take a bit better care of myself. I would say I'm a textbook "yo-yo'er" dying to find the secret to take it off and keep it off!! So, instead of doing any of the fad stuff, I decided to do MFP ...eat what I want, but in moderation. I did MFP some time ago, but started having neck issues, couldn't keep up with the exercising...yada, yada...you've all heard (and maybe MADE) excuses too! At any rate, in April, I decided to come back here strictly for the logging/journalling so that I would have something hard -copy for my doctor. I'd forgotten how wonderful the support is...I've met some really wonderful people that actually make this whole thing much more fun than it would be otherwise (one being Jules!)! Let's see....my personality....I love to laugh, can be a tad (well, maybe more than a tad) sarcastic...but am 110% behind everybody!! I just like to joke and have fun with anyone going through this journey with me!! So, if you see offhand or snide remarks from me, they are NEVER serious....ALWAYS meant in fun (I'm not mean...I wouldn't make those comments if I meant them!!)!! HOWEVER, having said that...Jules and I were part of a team in August that there had some....let's just say "non-commital"....members, and that was highly frustrating to us. Can we know that you'll give your all?? You'll see that WE absolutely give ours..to our "cause" and we'll give our all to YOU!! We're on different sides of "the pond", so you'll basically have 24/7 coverage from your co-captains!!

I'm really excited to get going on this...the August challenge has been great to help me kick it up a notch...ready for ANOTHER notch!!
Let's go TEAM!!! Yesssssssssss!!!

PandaFit450

I am posting some stuff Gary has sent out.

SEPTEMBER IS COMING! We will have two sets of exercises. I don't want this to be confusing at all. I'm thinking about using an external website to post this stuff so everyone could go to one point wherever they are. But that might be an October thing...not sure. We will have a beginner and a killer series workout. You get to decide. But push yourself. Try the killer's if your body isn't ready that just means just that you aren't ready YET! You will be though I promise. The Killer side of things will be incorporating Miss Zuzzana from Bodyrock.tv, some Wildman Training, and some tabata HIIT Training. Some of you will be like HUH? What did he just say....others will be like now we're talking. The beginners will be what we've been doing for those that are just beginning or need another month in this exercise phase! So get your self prepared because in September we're going TRIBAL! IT'S ON LIKE ROBOT DONKEY KONG!

THEN THIS ONE CAME....

A sneak peek at September's GOING TRIBAL CHALLENGE> This will be an example of what we will be doing in the advanced workout phase. I'm calling it the "The Bushmen Series" You will be pushing and challenging your body each day by beginning with a 4 minute workout. Everyone who decides to take or attempt the Bushmen Series will need to get up 5 minutes early. Now know groaning. What's 5 minutes really? Here is a video of some things we'll be doing! This is High Intensity Interval Training for hereforth referred to as HIIT! WE"RE GOING TRIBAL FOLKS! It's going to produce some phenomenal results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sabjg06VE00&feature=youtube_gdata_player

THEN HE ADDED THIS...


My Previous post is for the advanced side of September. We have folks that have less than 10lbs to lose. Their fitness level is higher. We have folks who are wanting more so I've found exercises to help them push even harder with more difficult exercises. The September Challenge will have the same style of exercises as August and as always there are modifications of each exercise along with alternatives for folks with bad joints or other injuries. So please don't get discouraged. That post was for about 10% of you. The rest will be doing the normal Tribal Challenge! YOU CAN DO THIS! As a side note maybe try one of the tabata exercises you will probably surprise yourself! Keep up the great work.

PandaFit450

Some info -

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!

The challenge starts on 1st September and will last for the whole month. You will be given tasks to complete each day. For each member who completes everything - they will be awarded a point each day. If the whole team completes everything - we will be awarded an extra 5 points. If one person fails a task - we fail together as a team. Below are the tasks Jill & I had to complete in Week 1 of the August Challenge (this will give you an idea of what's expected of you) - these are in ADDITION to your normal exercises/workouts -

Day 1 Exercise Challenge - 100 Jumping Jacks*(see below)
Day 2 Exercise Challenge – Walk, Run or Jog 1 Mile (extra)
Day 3 Exercise Challenge – 50 Situps or Ab Crunches*
Day 4 Exercise Challenge – 40 UP and Downs *
Day 5 Exercise Challenge – 25 Pushups *
Day 6 Exercise Challenge – 25 Squat Lunges*
Day 7 Rest! You deserve it!

As you progress through the month, the tasks get more challenging - but you are also getting fitter!!! They are designed to push you and take you out of your comfort zone! There are modified exercises as an alternative to what's posted - just ask Jill or I for information. There is also be additional team based tasks to do later on in the month (ie 100 extra miles to be split between all members - I hope that we can divide these equally between the 10 of us where possible).

As well as these exercise tasks, you will also be expected to -

Drink at least 8 cups of water per day AND stay under calories each day (It would be a good idea to make your food diarys public if you haven't already done so).

I want a team filled with people willing to COMMIT!!! I expect the following from each of you:

~STAYING UNDER YOUR CALORIE GOAL DAILY
~DRINKING AT LEAST 64 OUNCES OF WATER A DAY
~COMPLETING ALL TEAM EXERCISE CHALLENGES
~POSTING IN OUR TEAM FORUM
~COMMUNICATING AND MESSAGING WITH ME AND YOUR TEAMMATES
~ENCOURAGING YOUR TEAMMATES
~HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND NOT GIVE EXCUSES

Apart for all that - we will HAVE FUN

PandaFit450

***** Post Challenge request *****

Please can everyone give me the following information -

Starting weight on MFP
Current weight
Goal weight
How much you'd like to lose by the end of September

If you are happy to post in here (thank you) or you can pm me if you'd prefer.

ALSO, I would like a full length BEFORE photo - please email it to juliewatkins39@hotmail.com

Thank you :bigsmile:

Monica_has_a_goal

Hello I'm Monica,

I'm glad to be on Team J! Thank you Captains and I won't let you down!

I'm looking forward to getting back to work in September but I don't want work to slow me down from my goals.

I started June 1st, 2011 at 250 pounds and at only 5'4'' that's more than obese.

I'm currently at 218 and My goal weight is 150. I know ... 100 pounds to lose sounds like a lot but I know I can do THIS!

I hope to inspire and motivate and have that exchange with all of you!

Goooooooo TEAM J!
Monica

P.S. I'm a Elementary School Librarian in the second largest district in the US.. yes.. Los Angeles Unified but I live in Orange County California! Anyone else on the West Coast? :flowerforyou:
Married for 24 yrs this November and I have an almost 19 yo Daughter who's in her 3rd year at the University.
(thought I'd add a lil more after reading everyones posts.. hehe)

QueenFe

Hello Everyone,

My name is Felicia. I'm 37 years old. Married with 3 children, 18, 15 and 13.. busy busy busy. I live in Racine, Wi and work at a College as a PC Technician. I have always had weight issues but was at my breaking point back in January when I got on the scale and it read 310 pounds. Because of my height (5'9") I never looked like it, but I could tell in my knees and just how I felt. Since then joined Weight Watchers and have lost 42 pounds.I do Cardio-kickboxing 3 nights a week and I do Zumba 2 nights a week. I stopped weight watchers 2 months ago because of financial issues but still workout and follow somewhat of a healthy diet. I know I can do better. I decided to rejoin MFP because a friend told me to try it again. I still have a lot of weight to loose so I decided to join a challenge to push me harder. I'm very excited about this challenge and look forward to working with all of you. Let's do this!!!

QueenFe

Felicia Information:

My starting weight on MFP 268
Current Weight : 268
Goal Weight : 180 (for now)
How much I'd like to lose by the end of Sept : 15-20 pounds

PandaFit450

Felicia Information:

My starting weight on MFP 268
Current Weight : 268
Goal Weight : 180 (for now)
How much I'd like to lose by the end of Sept : 15-20 pounds

Thanks Felicia - I'll log your info. You've set yourself a HUGE target of 15-20lbs in a month !

DavyRockhit

Hello teammates!

I am Crystal Owens, age 27
Starting weight on MFP: 235lbs
Current weight : 222lbs
Goal weight : 155lbs
How much I'd like to lose by the end of September: 10lbs

I’m from Spirit Lake, Idaho (about an hr from Spokane WA) I go by Davy Rock-Hit, my derby name. You can call me Crystal or Davy or Rocket, whichever you prefer. I’m really easy going. I have been doing derby since last Dec and I love it.
I am a devout Christian and lead worship at my church. I work with at risk youth and their families in my rural community. I am a Licensed Masters Social Worker, and I am the Project Director for a Juvenile Support Program in my town. I also work as a therapist at a different agency.

I have two sons ages 6 and almost 8. I have been married for 9 years. I have struggled with weight my entire adult life. I struggle with depression, affecting my health. A few years ago I worked my butt off losing 60lbs was in the best shape of my life. I was the smallest I ever was at 165lbs and then my marriage went poorly and I almost got divorced, we worked things out but I gained a lot of weight as eating was a major coping skill. Also during that time I still suffered depression and was in college as well as working two jobs.

I find that accountability is the factor to my success and not depending on others for my sense of self-worth. I have gotten a handle on my depression and know many of the right choices to make; it is just a matter of follow through.
Thanks for reading about me and I am happy to meet all of you and do some great work in this September Challenge.

Monica_has_a_goal

SW 250 6/1/2011
CW 218 8/21/2011
GW 150

September Goal lose 5-10 pounds

QueenFe

Felicia Information:

My starting weight on MFP 268
Current Weight : 268
Goal Weight : 180 (for now)
How much I'd like to lose by the end of Sept : 15-20 pounds

Thanks Felicia - I'll log your info. You've set yourself a HUGE target of 15-20lbs in a month !

Thanks...this is my first challenge....LOL I was thinking that was a bit too much. Maybe 10-15 is more realistic.

suse75

Hey lovely ladies!!!! My name is Susan or Suse (like Dr Suess) and I am 36 years old. I live in Kingsport TN and have been overweight pretty much my entire life - I was 9.5lbs at birth. have yo-yo dieted ever since I can remember. About 10 years ago, I let a selfish man let me think I was worthless and gained 80+ pounds after he dumped me. At my heaviest I was 285 & that was just waaayyyyy too close to 300 for my taste.

Starting weight on MFP - 285.4
Current weight - 274
Goal weight - 156
How much you'd like to lose by the end of September - 10-15 ... gonna try to give up my cheddar rounds and the fast food I have allowed myself. I may be within my calorie guidelines, but all the fat/grease is not helping my weight loss.

ruelman83

Starting Weight: 238
Current Weight: 232
** From 9/1 until 9/30, I'd like to have lost 8 lbs **
First Goal Weight: 188 (hoping by Feb 2012)
Final Goal Weight: 138 (hoping by Aug 2012)

trimom63

Love "meeting" all of you and I'm excited to start our month together!! This is going to be a fun group....highly serious where it comes to expectations of completing challenges, but you'll get to know that Jules and I love to have fun!! Only a few more days and we're ON!!! Still trying to come up with a name.....Jules came up with something having to do diamonds since they are strong and beautiful!! Anybody think of a great name incorporating that....or come up with something else?? I'm about creative as a rock, (speaking of diamonds...heh, heh) but I'm trying to think on that line....
Hugs to all, and to all, a good night!!!

PandaFit450

Morning Team

Thank you for your intro's, your personal info and the photo's. You ladies are AMAZING!!
We are going to have some fun with each other this month!!!

As soon as there is any more updates I will post them here for you - in the meantime continue getting to know each other, 'friend' everyone on the team - we are in this together!!

The COUNTDOWN begins!!

Have a GREAT day

Love & hugs

Jules

Scratchee2002

Hello Everyone!!

Is it too late to join your team?? I just joined mfp today.

PandaFit450

Hello Everyone!!

Is it too late to join your team?? I just joined mfp today.

Thanks for your request - I've sent a personal message to you.
Jules

AmerTunsi

Hello everyone!

My name is Sarah, and I'm 26 and living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like many of you, I have struggled with weight most of my life. I ate every emotion I had! In doing so, I feel like I allowed my body to become my prison. I no longer was participating in life, only observing it. I want to break out of this self-made prison and begin to live and let my body know it is alive!

I'm very excited to be apart of this team!

My MFP SW: 355 (7.16.11)
CW: 335
GW: 150
And for Sept. I would like to drop another 20.

PandaFit450

Hello everyone!

My name is Sarah, and I'm 26 and living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like many of you, I have struggled with weight most of my life. I ate every emotion I had! In doing so, I feel like I allowed my body to become my prison. I no longer was participating in life, only observing it. I want to break out of this self-made prison and begin to live and let my body know it is alive!

I'm very excited to be apart of this team!

My MFP SW: 355 (7.16.11)
CW: 335
GW: 150
And for Sept. I would like to drop another 20.

Hello & welcome Sarah, nice to have you aboard!! Please friend everyone on the team if you haven't already done so.
20lbs is a BIG task for a month !!
Please can you let me have a full length photo before we start t?? (juliewatkins39@hotmail.com)

Hugs
Jules

djenna8girl

Hi Everyone! My name is Jenna, and I'm hoping TeamJ is still open to new members - since I've got a J name, I figure this is a good place for me .

I am a 36 year old from Australia, brand new to the weight loss game, and kind of just winging it so far.
I managed to reach my calorie target most days as well as doing some exercise each day, but I really want to be more active, and I think this may be just the motivation I need!

SW: 165 lbs (joined MFP last Tuesday)
CW: 163 lbs
GW: 143 lbs

Goal Weight for September: 155 lbs

PandaFit450

Hi Everyone! My name is Jenna, and I'm hoping TeamJ is still open to new members - since I've got a J name, I figure this is a good place for me .

I am a 36 year old from Australia, brand new to the weight loss game, and kind of just winging it so far.
I managed to reach my calorie target most days as well as doing some exercise each day, but I really want to be more active, and I think this may be just the motivation I need!

SW: 165 lbs (joined MFP last Tuesday)
CW: 163 lbs
GW: 143 lbs

Goal Weight for September: 155 lbs

Thanks for your interest Jenna, but Team J is full for September - I've sent personal message to you!
Jules

littlemount

Hi Team J,

This looks like a great group all motivated.
My name is Renu , I am from Maryland,married for 25 years this November have 2 daughters.
Lived in India,UK and USA .Consider myself global.
I do medical research with universities and NIH.

I am menopausal and my weight wont budge.I am definitely prepared to push myself.
One thing more I am not computer savvy,and I am not good with journalling/recording my diet or exercise.

Starting weight- 188
CW-192
GW-170

PandaFit450

Hi Team J,

This looks like a great group all motivated.
My name is Renu , I am from Maryland,married for 25 years this November have 2 daughters.
Lived in India,UK and USA .Consider myself global.
I do medical research with universities and NIH.

I am menopausal and my weight wont budge.I am definitely prepared to push myself.
One thing more I am not computer savvy,and I am not good with journalling/recording my diet or exercise.

Starting weight- 188
CW-192
GW-170

Hello & welcome Renu, nice to have you aboard!! Please friend everyone on the team if you haven't already done so.
Do you have a goal for what you would like to lose during the challenge?
Please can you let me have a full length photo before we start t?? (juliewatkins39@hotmail.com)

Hugs
Jules

littlemount

Sorry the goal weight for the month of September is only 5 pounds .I currently do not have a recent picture of mine I will send it as soon as I find one .

PandaFit450

Sorry the goal weight for the month of September is only 5 pounds .I currently do not have a recent picture of mine I will send it as soon as I find one .

Thanks Renu

PandaFit450

So ladies, we are thinking TEAM NAME!!!

Suggestions so far -

1) Diamonds in the Rough!
2) Diamonds in the Making!
3) Team J

Any thoughts on those? Any other suggestions??

SPEAK UP LADIES - WE WANT YOUR OPINIONS!!

:happy:

trimom63

Li'l Diamonds???