Hi everyone. My name is Mel and I am from New Zealand and now live in Western Australia. My weight has been yo-yoing lately and I realised I have gained a frightful amount over the last 6-8 months. I'm a stay at home mum during the day but I work most nights so am on my feet and fairly active. Spring is here so the motivation to be in shape for summer is staring me in the face! I'm pleased to be back and a part of BBT!

Hello again, team TBBT. The September Challenge doesn't officially start until Sunday, September 1st, 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" (three yes's) 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, September 1st!!

Hello new and old friends.
I am 38 years old and constantly struggling with weight. I was a skinny kid, gained a lot of weight in high school. Lost a lot of weight in my early 20s, gained it all back and then some more. I have worked in the beer industry for the past 12+ years so that adds into the weight loss struggles.
In December 2017 I hit my heaviest weight and decided to change, but even that has been a struggle. I will have a few really good months and then I will get stuck for awhile. Over last winter I put some of it back on but am now down to my lowest in years. Overall I am down 33 lbs, but that is over 20 months so it really should be a lot better.
I have been with this group for 14 of those 20 months and that really has helped in my struggling times. There are some great people here with a lot of support. I feel like a bunch of us struggled in August (just my opinion) as the group seemed pretty inactive. Hopefully we can get some new positive energy in September.

Welcome to the newcomers and welcome back to our returning TBBT team. I’m Pam and co-leader of the group, although I think Lisa ( @HASWLRS) does a great job doesn’t really need a co-leader I’m joined in the beginning of the year for the accountability and the challenge to help my lose the weight I’ve been trying to lose for so many years. I’ve had good times and bad times and this group has helped me get through all of them. Like Erik said, I think August was a rough time for most of us in the group, but we’re still here and motivated to make September a great month. We’ve had several weeks when TBBT was THE BIGGEST LOSER in the challenge and I know we can do it again.

About me - I’m a mom of three (3) the youngest of which just moved off to college in August. My husband and I are excited about being “empty nesters” (but secretly hoping she’ll come home to visit at some point ), but it is definitely taking some time to adjust to this new way of life. Everything is different from cooking to schedules to just having so much time on my hands that I didn’t before. I’ll be honest, August was a horrible month for me, but I’m determined to make changes in my life to live a healthier lifestyle and enjoy what’s to come for my husband and I.

September, what out, because TBBT is on a mission!!

Coral333 wrote: »

Hi everyone old and new! I’m Coral and have been with the group since March/April (I think!) and have been down and then back up in that time with a month or 2 off. I’m so excited for September as I always feel my greatest weight loss months are between now and December time where I can be really committed and focus 100%.
My daughter will be 1 on Tuesday and I’m back at pre pregnancy weight but now focusing on the goal of 20lbs by Christmas. It’s a challenge but i know I can do it!

@Coral333, 20 pounds by Christmas? I am down for that!!

Hi! My name is Brandi. I'm 34. I am a stay at home/homeschool mom to a teenager. I was a member of this team the first half of the year but took a break for the summer. I lose all sense of routine during the summer and there is too much going on to be active in the forum.
I did gain a couple of pounds over the summer which is better than I expected. Fall is usually when I do best at losing weight. I feel the most motivated as the weather cools. Fall always feels more like the start of a new year than the actual beginning of the year.
My family has a new very active puppy which gives us no choice but to be motivated to get up and get moving by chasing him around or going for walks.
I'm glad to be back to TBBT and I look forward to getting to know the new members.

brandi_84 wrote: »

Hi! My name is Brandi. I'm 34. I am a stay at home/homeschool mom to a teenager. I was a member of this team the first half of the year but took a break for the summer. I lose all sense of routine during the summer and there is too much going on to be active in the forum.
I did gain a couple of pounds over the summer which is better than I expected. Fall is usually when I do best at losing weight. I feel the most motivated as the weather cools. Fall always feels more like the start of a new year than the actual beginning of the year.
My family has a new very active puppy which gives us no choice but to be motivated to get up and get moving by chasing him around or going for walks.
I'm glad to be back to TBBT and I look forward to getting to know the new members.

@brandi_84, welcome back, Brandi! Only a couple of pounds over the summer...that's great!! And a new puppy to keep you busy...you and Christine will have to exchange notes! I think you summed up what a lot of us are feeling...."I feel the most motivated as the weather cools. Fall always feels more like the start of a new year than the actual beginning of the year."

Here's to a great September!!!

Hello Everyone!

My name is Ann and I'm on my 3rd or 4th challenge month, not sure. The support and accountability has helped me as I navigated a move from MD to FL, serious downsizing, and sending my only kid off to college in MA. I'm still surrounded by boxes as I work to sort through and toss or find a place for everything.

The past 5 years I've gotten off track with weight and exercise. I eat fairly well most days, but not moving and a lot of stress, plus being 57 years post menopause woman has done a number on me. I'm currently in the mid 160s and would like to weigh 150 for my 5'5" big booty body. TEENSY STEP at a time, I'm getting there!

So looking forward to working together to achieve our goals!

Hello everyone! And welcome to the newbies!
My name is Kim and I live in Ontario, Canada. September will be the second month I am participating in this challenge. I wasn’t very chatty on the team message board last month, and I didn’t participate in the mini challenge. So, my goals for September are to interact here more, begin regular exercise, and track food (well, that and lose more weight!).
Looking forward to losing with you all :-)