Gold Standard Group (Open Group)

I apologize for how long this is! Since this is the intro week I want to make sure I explain everything to avoid any confusion 

Total members: 17

Name of members:

tilaisabel
ang527
Rachaelluvszipped
sparetirebegone
longin2bsexy
lelaunt
BC1520
jenwarship
sufikitkat
kiwibandit
Hay8824
charly_80
annika27
tommyekatt
deevaughan
DaveR100
rubyalvarado

Theme: Golden Age of Hollywood


Group Quote: “The golden age is before us, not behind us.” -- Unknown

Group Name: To be determined by voting. Name is meant to represent what this time period was all about. I want group members to suggest names and I will pick top three and have the group vote on which is the all time favorite. Until a final name has been voted on I will call us the Gold Standard group in honor of the golden age of Hollywood. Please keep names to no more than 4 words long.

Description: What is the Gold Standard group all about?

This group will come to symbolize what the golden era of Hollywood was all about. The leading ladies and men of the time were elegant, graceful, beautiful, charming and captivating. They were all this and more without looking ill, looked healthy and did their craft phenomenally. I want us to personify this in that what we will be doing we will do gracefully, beautifully and take the world’s breath away as we reach our goals.

I highly recommend choosing a leading lady or man that you feel symbolizes your idea of the gold standard. This person can be from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s or 60’s. My leading lady is Rita Hayworth because she was Latina, beautiful, curvaceous and extremely talented. She was a bombshell and I consider her my gold standard.

I would be more than happy to explain. The Gold Standard group is a group aimed at encouraging success and achieving dreams. While other groups focus on only having people pair up and only those two focus on one another, I want our group to become an inclusive family that looks out and highly motivates each member. Remember, we are stronger in numbers and when it comes to support the more we have the more fire we will have to get our work done. Every member is required to set a goal for themselves that they know they can accomplish by certain time periods. This group is not about “if I run two miles you better run them with me too”. Every person is different, every body works differently. What works for one person will not work for the other the same way in the same amount of time. However, we all can agree that we have goals we would like to meet by a certain time. Aside from loosing pounds (which is always a bonus) I want our main focus to be changing bad habits into positive lifestyles. If there is something you struggle with now (eating healthy meals, drinking enough water, getting enough exercise) you will be required in this group to acknowledge negative habits and show how you plan to change them. Although this group is not forcing specific results to occur by a deadline you are required to show commitment and dedication. We all are here because we need that extra push and if your not here to join for that reason then this isn’t the group for you!

There will be two time periods we will all be working towards: main event and mini challenge. The main event periods consist of times that people generally want to look and feel their best. In our case our first main event will be new years. Our first mini challenge will be Valentines Day. The reason why I didn’t choose a mini challenge earlier is because we all can agree that New Years takes priority over all the little holidays to looks fabulous in.

I will set up “homework” for the group that consists of activities aimed at brining all of us closer together by getting to know our habits and together working on them to change them for the better. The posts will be aimed at addressing three areas:

1.) Nutrition- eating habits (are you eating enough fruits, veggies, good variety, what you like, dislike, suggestions to break plateaus, etc)
a. Challenges: You need to set up a challenge for yourself each week to change a bad habit. Maybe less chocolate, more veggies, cutting eating out as much etc. Only way your body will be healthier is if you feed it the right stuff!!
2.) Exercise- (are you including cardio, strength training, what are your habits, dvds your working on, routines, etc)
a. Challenges: Don’t be afraid to up the speed a little on the treadmill, the incline, maybe 10 more minutes? Challenge yourself to get your body that extra edge so you don’t hit plateaus right away!
3.) Personal reflection- I believe in working just as hard within ourselves as we would on the outside. I will post quotes that group members will be required to reflect on and see how this applies to their personal journey. Your thoughts are amazing, valuable. Your words of wisdom reflecting the quotes will inspire us how to think about our struggles and what we can do to over come this. Your words will encourage others to not give up and continue working hard.

Requirement: I ask that everyone be honest in their posts, even if we feel embarrassed, ashamed or disappointed. The only way we can help one another is if we know what the problem is. No one is perfect and we will make mistakes. However, the only way to learn from them and move on is to be willing to accept the mistakes, the work needed to remedy this and accept the love and support this group has to offer. (I feel like such a mother hen) lol.


I am very excited to begin this group with all of you. I want to let everyone know that they can be comfortable in trusting me with any questions, comments or concerns about the group. If anyone feels they need to ask me something in private please feel free to message me on MFP or by email (cassandra2004rock@yahoo.com) and I will do my best to reply immediately. Anything you tell me in private, stays in private. I am always open to suggestions and I want all of us to OWN this group! We are here for one another. We are here to celebrate together, pick each other up and be our best cheer group. Although this is your personal journey I know we can all say that we would definitely love helping and supporting one another. This group will be your extended family. Only love, support, dedication, commitment (and if needed), tough love will be shown here. No one person is more important than the other here. We are all beautiful, amazing, powerful and inspiring beyond measure. Don’t just be anyone, be the gold standard of yourself!!

How to check in?

I do a weekly weigh in every Friday. I know some people are used to doing every two weeks, possibly everyday… If we have a set date on which we all come together to report our numbers I feel we will all be closer together in celebrating and motivating each other. I would like to have every member check in every Friday to explain how they are doing. I will put a new post every Friday so that every member can comment.



Final words: This group is here for one another. I am always here to offer encouragement, kind words, and suggestions or lend a hand in anyway I can. Remember to check in often with group members as posts are displayed. Keeping in touch is key for this group to make it. Keep an eye out for posts, assignments and discussions that come about. As I close this first post I just want to say how proud I am of each and every one of you. No matter how many members join I will always be here for each of you to help guide along the way. Remember: we are strong, we are capable, we are beautiful beyond measure. Be the gold standard of yourself!!!

Assignment 1: Both tasks due by Friday!

Task 1:
Main event 1 has been set for January 1st, 2012. I cannot wait to look and feel fabulous for this awesome time!! I would love for each member to post what is their goal for lbs lost for this date. Once every member has commented I will be writing this down in a journal in order to help keep tabs on everyone. On Jan. 1st I will list everyone’s weight now, weight then and their weight loss. Get ready everyone, New Years is about to be a hell of a lot sexier!!!!!

Current weight: 212.4
Goal weight: 180
Lbs to be lost: 32 lbs

Task 2:
Choose your leading man or lady to represent your gold standard and make them your signature!(*note: I am not sure how you have the picture come out as your signature exactly so if anyone knows I would appreciate the info! If it is not possible then just state who your having as your gold standard and why!)
Rita Hayworth will be my leading lady. Who will be yours?


Assignment 2: will be posted on Friday. Be prepared to log in weight loss for the week then as well as work on a few questions that will be posted!