Please let me know if there is an aspect of this competition that is not addressed in this list and I will attempt to clarify.

1. Basics. Everyone must weigh in on the same scale each week (your scale at home or at the gym or at the doctor, whatever) as close to the same time of day (for you) each week. Try to wear the same weight of clothing (e.g., if you wear shoes for your first weigh in, wear them at each subsequent weigh in). This keeps things consistent.

2. Calculating the Winning Team. The competition results will be tracked using the percent of body weight loss. The calculation takes your actual weight (each week) and subtracts it from your initial weight. Then this sum is divided by your initial (starting) weight. Don’t worry, I’ll do the calculations. You just need to send me your weight ON TIME each week. The team with the largest % loss at the end of the 12 weeks is the winner.

3. Side Competition. IF you’re interested in tracking inches along with weight, I’m happy to keep track and run comparisons for the group. Provide your measurements with your weight each week and I will determine whether the team concept will work based on the number of people who want to do this. If it’s a small group then individual or duo competition may be constructed. More about this next week when I have a better idea of how many of you are doing this. If you are participating in the side competition, please provide measurements for the following in inches to the nearest ¼ inch: (a) Bust, (b) Waist, (c) Hip, (d) Thigh, and (e) Upper arm. Please send the same side of the body each week or measure both and average to maintain consistency.

4. Weigh In Reporting. The first weigh in must be done sometime tomorrow (Sunday, January 6) and the information is due tomorrow by 9pm EST. Weigh ins will be weekly each Sunday and are always due to me by 9pm EST. The competition will run for 12 weeks with the final weigh in on Sunday, March 31. I’m toying with an optional 5 week extension or “lightening round” running from March 31 – May 5, so tuck that away in your list of things to consider.

5. Soft start. Additional brides may join during Week 1, provided that they have a weigh in from Saturday/Sunday of this week. I’m doing this because the group just formed and we’re still getting 10+ new brides each day. IF the interest is still high after that (Week 2 and forward), I may give late joiners their own a separate group. They would still be judged by % of loss in the time that they have left, so it’s unlikely it would prove unfair to other groups who start on time, but that way no one gets left out if they want to play.

6. Challenges. There are two types of challenges: Group and Team. Any team can issue a challenge to the whole group (for a week starting on Sunday or for a shorter period). The team calling the challenge is responsible for monitoring progress with that challenge. There can be no more than one group challenge per week. Teams may regulate their own challenges and determine how many work for their members. For this first week, I will issue the first Group Challenge in a Message String designated for the Group Challenges on Sunday.