Hello again, team TBBT. The November challenge doesn't officially start until Sunday November the 4th, but I thought I'd give you some more information so that you can be ready to jump in with both feet! Within the main weight loss challenge we have another optional, but highly recommended, challenge. It is called the Mini Ultimate Accountability Challenge, or the Mini Challenge. It is based on another MFP challenge group by the same name, or UAC.

The way it works is simple:

1. Log everything you eat that has calories in MFP.
2. Stay inside your allotted daily calorie budget.
3. Do at least 20 minutes of activity daily. This could be anything that gets you off the couch and being active: run, walk, cycle, swim, gardening, housework, yoga, gym, etc.
4. Report each day on this thread (something to the effect of logged food: yes, under calories: yes, exercise: yes, and a brief description is nice)

****When you post your accountability, please put the date, or the day of the week to which you are referring. We are all in different time zones, and some people post in the evening for that day, and others post the next morning, so it gets confusing trying to decipher without a day or date. Thanks!!!*****

You get one free pass day a week (went over calories, could not log food, rest day, etc.) At the end of the week, if you have managed to be "accountable" for at least 6 of 7 days, you will be recognized on this thread as being in the Winner's Circle!

This strategy works for weight loss because it is based on CI<CO. When calories in are less than calories out, you stay inside your allotted daily calorie budget, and you will lose weight! And exercise is just good for you, plus it will burn calories and help with the calories out portion of the equation!

What's great about this challenge is that it works for everyone, as long as you are honest with yourself. There are no dietary restrictions, so you can eat whatever you like, and follow whatever plan you like. Your own daily calorie budget is set by you and MFP and you choose your own exercise and intensity of exercise! Plus it is a practice that can be carried beyond weight loss into maintenance! If you are having a bad week, a new week and a fresh start is just around the corner!

Consistency and new habits have been shown to be the keys to long term successful weight loss. Why not make the Mini Ultimate Accountability Challenge your new habit, that you do consistently!!

Week #1 for the Mini Challenge starts Sunday, November the 4th!!

ddeliciosa wrote: »

Hey there big booty Judies. My name is Danielle. I'm 23 - getting my doctorate in pharmacy (last year, yay!), have two wonderful little dogs, and just trying to get back on the healthy track. I've let my health and weight slip a bit during school, and I'd like to get back to my pre-pharmacy school weight (140s, I'm 161ish now). Right now my calorie goal is set to 1200, which may be adjusted if it seems unobtainable and I'm starting up couch to 5k (again). I'm looking forward to joining the team.

Welcome, Danielle!! A doctorate in Pharmacy....congratulations!! Makes sense that your health would take a back seat while in school, but good for you to realize, now that you are in your final year, that it is time to change your focus!!

LinnyKitten wrote: »

Hey everyone! I’m Linny, and I’m 22 years old. I’m starting school next month for dental assisting, and working on saving up for a car, and learning to drive. I’ve been on my weight loss journey since March 2017, and back in August, I hit my 100 pound loss mark, which was an amazing feeling. But since then, I’ve gained back some of that weight, and I’m ready to lose it back, plus some. I’m 5’1” and my starting weight, at the beginning of my journey was 259lbs, my lowest weight was 157lbs, and I’m currently weighing in at 170.8 lbs. If I could get back down to 163 pounds by the end of November, that would be great, so that’s kind of what I’m shooting for.
I’m really excited to be doing this challenge in November, because in the past, I’ve typically always gained weight between October and December with all of the tempting seasonal foods, and what not, but I’ve decided that this year is going to end a bit differently. It’s nice to meet you all! 😊

Welcome, Linny!! First off, congratulations on losing 100 pounds!! Yes, okay, you've gained a little back, but my math tells me you are still down ~88 pounds, and that is still a great accomplishment!!! Secondly, well done to you for recognizing that you typically gain this time of year, for understanding why, and then for consciously and actively doing something about it by joining this group!! You know what they say, "If you fail to plan, then plan to fail!!"

Hey all! My name is Mike and November makes month number 3 in this challenge for me. I’m 39, I work from home and my wife and I homeschool our 2 daughters (age 8 and 4). We live in central Florida, so the weather feels finally nice enough to venture outside

I started on the weight loss journey this time on July 25 at 309. Last Friday I was down to 268. My for real end goal is 225. I’m doing a combo of calorie deficit and low carb with exercise.

I love the mini challenge. It’s helped me make a better decision several times so far. My goal for November is to get into the 250s, sweat everyday, enjoy thanksgiving and holiday foods in moderation and try to enjoy the weight loss journey a bit more than I have been. I’ve been a bit of a grump these last weeks.

Let’s all have a great month of progress!

heaz10 wrote: »

Hi Everyone, my name is Heather and I am new to this challenge. I am 47, work full time, and have two kids that keep me very busy with their activities. I have allowed my weight to creep up. I had some injuries that sidelined me for awhile, but am cleared to resume activities. I need to make better food choices and track what I eat. I am hoping being responsible to a team will help me stay motivated. My overall goal is probably around 75 pounds, but for November I would be happy with losing 7-10 pounds.

Welcome, Heather! Tracking your food is the best strategy for losing weight. That, coupled with exercise, (now that you are cleared to resume activity), is a winning combination!! Best of luck in reaching your goals for November!!

Hello all, I'm T, I am also new here! I am 30 years old and I want to change the way that I'm seen (as being obese). My plan going forward is to aim for 1400 a day focusing on balanced macros, more water, add more walking along with BWE and fingers crossed to lose something! Numbers wise, my overall goal is to loose another 38.2lbs, having lost around 80 already, I expect this to be tough, if I could get into the 20's I'd be thrilled! I will join the mini challenge daily for accountability and motivation. Good luck everyone!

Hi I'm Marion, 41, and returning to the challenge I participated in, since the 1st quarter of this year.

The previous challenges helped me gain momentum with progress back towards restoring health. Training myself to build consistency, by being held accountible by the mini challenge, as well as the overall monthly challenges, is key for me to remain successful and confront and work on my personal problems that mirrored in my weight.

Since the 2nd and 3rd quarter I achieved stabilization and maintenance phase at 50% my goal achieved.

I am ready to enter the next reduction challenge and work day by day to achieve 100% of my goal before 31 December 2018.

Welcome and good luck to all the others in our team!

RinsenRepeat wrote: »

Hi I'm Marion, 41, and returning to the challenge I participated in, since the 1st quarter of this year.

The previous challenges helped me gain momentum with progress back towards restoring health. Training myself to build consistency, by being held accountible by the mini challenge, as well as the overall monthly challenges, is key for me to remain successful and confront and work on my personal problems that mirrored in my weight.

Since the 2nd and 3rd quarter I achieved stabilization and maintenance phase at 50% my goal achieved.

I am ready to enter the next reduction challenge and work day by day to achieve 100% of my goal before 31 December 2018.

Welcome and good luck to all the others in our team!

Welcome back, Marion! Hope we can help you reach your year's end goal!!

Hi everyone, my name is Sara. I’m 32 and I’m from Alberta, Canada. I’m a registered nurse. This is my first challenge. I joined MFP a long time ago but am just getting back into it after a few years. I have a lot of weight I would like to lose overall.My goals for this challenge are to lose 8-10lbs, drink enough water and to do more meal prep rather than buying food out.

scarapet wrote: »

Hi everyone, my name is Sara. I’m 32 and I’m from Alberta, Canada. I’m a registered nurse. This is my first challenge. I joined MFP a long time ago but am just getting back into it after a few years. I have a lot of weight I would like to lose overall.My goals for this challenge are to lose 8-10lbs, drink enough water and to do more meal prep rather than buying food out.

Welcome, Sara! It sounds like you have a good plan in place. Let's do this!!

Hey there! I'm Lauren. I'm 32 and live in Wisconsin. I'm a single mom of 2 and have a desk job that keeps me busy. I'm working on losing 40 lbs total (about 35 more to go). I lost 20 last year and have stayed stagnant for awhile. I'm looking forward to getting this goal accomplished! My challenge is staying consistent and keeping things simple and effective. I'm looking forward to having accountability and making some new friends.

Hi there,
November challenge will be my second month part of this challenge and part of this awesome Big Butt Theory Team.
I live in Taranaki, New Zealand with my husband and have 3 children aged 20, 16 and 13. We are dairyfarmng our small herd of 230 Jersey cows.
I am turning 40 in March and that is my driving force, I want to hit my 40's healthier and more active
I started at the end of September at 277 lbs, and today sitting at 255.2 lbs. I have made my first goal to get down to 220 lbs. While my longer term goal is to reach around 187.
Cheers
Lisa.

melissan84 wrote: »

Hi everyone, My name is Melissa. I am 34 years old and I want to lose 60-70 lbs. A few years back, I lost 40-50 lbs then I slowly gained it back as I went to school. I am now a Registered Nurse and it has been killing me being overweight as my job is very demanding up on my feet all day. So I have decided to get back on the wagon and lose weight nice again. I need all support I can get.
My goal is lose at least 10 lbs this month as I am starting. I want to drink more water and add exercise to my life again.
I'm also glad to see fellow nurses on this group.

Welcome, Melissa! Congratulations on becoming a registered nurse! Yes, I can only imagine how demanding that job might be! A lot of people gain weight while in school, so don't beat yourself up. The good news is that you have lost weight in the past, so you know how to do it!! You got this!!

lozenger1984 wrote: »

Hi Team,

I'm Laura. I'm 34. I've lost 87lbs so far with 42 to go to goal weight. I exercise a lot - taekwondo, weightlifting and now running too. The bit I've slipped on is getting a decent protein intake and drinking enough water so will focus on this during this challenge and get back to logging regularly (havebeen lazy for two weeks and surprise, surprise have maintained). Nice to see lots of other medical people in our group - keeps me busy but not fit and skinny unfortunately!

Wow! Congratulations on losing 87 pounds so far!! You must feel so much better!! Great list of exercises that you do as well...that'll keep things from becoming boring!!