Hi again everyone! So....Sunday,Nov. 29th., officially kicks off our December Challenge! This challenge runs from Nov. 29th to Sat. Dec. 2th or possibly Jan. 2nd if Ashley decides to make it a 5 week challenge (she hasn't posted it up yet) . So the 1st weigh ins will be those people that chose Sunday as their weigh day. Sorry for the confusion, it keeps things equal.
We are also going to be running (Optional) Mini-challenges again this month: Question of the Week and Daily Posts

First and foremost is that participation in these challenges is optional. It's up to you as to whether you want to try this. If you don't want to participate in these challenges, you don't have to, the choice is yours, but I would like to encourage you to participate as it seems to help keep us on track and thinking about our goals on a daily basis and it's encouraging to see other's successes and struggles so that we realize that we are not alone!!

The Daily Posts Challenge is based on another challenge on MFP called UAC (Ultimate Accountability Challenge). The way UAC works is that the aim is to follow 5 basic rules.

#1. Track EVERYTHING you eat that has calories.
#2. Stay inside your allocated daily budget.
#3. Try to do at least 20 minutes of activity a day (anything: walk, run, cycle, swim, gardening, housework, yoga, gym, etc.. As long as it gets you active and off the couch)
#4. 1 pass day permitted per week (went over calories, could not track, not enough exercise, intentional pass)
#5. Check in daily (tracking yes/no, calories yes/no, exercise yes/no).

****End of the week. those who have managed to keep to plan for 6 out of 7 days are recognized in the thread as being part of the weekly "Winners Circle".

A side note as there has been a bit of confusion for new members in the past, this is not the same as the official results, which are weight based, this is just another tool to help you reach your weight loss goals.

**REMEMBER**
You set your own daily budget.
You choose you own exercise and intensity (no step limit, no exercises you cannot or should not do, 20 mins of gardening counts as much as a 10 mile run, activity is activity, anything that gets you up and moving!).
Is not weight based (as weight fluctuates day by day).
Can continue beyond weight loss.

Daily check in keeps you in touch with those doing similar. Longer term weight management is hard to do on your own.

It also has frequent resets (as in a circle each week).

It works on an honor system. Being honest with yourself and others is a key to making things work. Remember, this is a judgement free zone, everyone has good days and bad days, but the way to get to the finish line is by being honest and when we have a bad day, picking ourselves up and carrying on the next day!

Consistency and new habits have been shown the only long term successful way to change weight. We all want the progress made here to last a lifetime.

Your posts should look like this:
Daily Post (Sunday/Date)

Track: Yes/no
Calories: Yes/no (were you under)
Exercise: Yes/no (what type and how long)
Goals/Day/Comments: (Tell us a brief description about your how your day went or your goals for the day)

The Question of the Week Challenge is a fun participation booster and we will be using it sometimes just as fun and sometimes it can help to foster new ideas for others as we all are different and have different experiences so sharing ideas can help someone else with motivation of freshening up their routine even!! Keep on the lookout for these questions.[/color]

Please post your weight on your scheduled weigh in day, as if you miss weigh-ins, you may be eliminated from the challenge and we don't want to see that happen!!

Your posts should look like this:
Username:
Week: November Week 1
PW =(previous weight)
CW=(current weight)
Just type PW & CW if you'd like (or if it's easier, you could keep a note on your PC desktop to make it easier to copy and paste from week to week.)

Please, please setup your posts in that format as it really makes it much easier for me to track your progress for the challenges and the weight loss!!

I'd like to help us be as successful as possible and if I can help in any way, please let me know. Also, if you have any suggestions for the team or fun ideas to spice things up a bit, please feel free to share them, I look for new ways to help engagement and keep people motivated!!

I am committed to this group and to help where I can, and please let me know if I can help in any way!!

Your team Captain,
Melinda@mram3582

My goal for the end of december would be to at least get to 240. I am at 252 now so that would be great. Im worried about Christmas time and food though hahaha im.picking 4 days during decber that i can have a couple treats

My goal for the month of December is to get out of the rut. Start being true to myself regarding emotional weight issues. Being able to understand and pacify my emotions rather than suppressing them with food. I have following goals to do/track daily

1. Drink 2 litre water
2. Walk at min 2000 steps (ultimate goal is to walk 15000 Steps daily)
3. Eat under 100g net carbs (I have PCOS so I eat anymore than this I feel miserable. Although currently I am eating way more than this. Ultimate goal is to go below 100g)
4. Read a self help book daily for atleast 10 min before and after bedtime.
5. Sleep better (8 hours at min)

I understand that this is a long journey ahead. But I am gonna make best of it.
I have suffered from child abuse and I still am emotionally attached to weight. I have just recently come to the terms of feeling emotions rather than seeking comfort from eating. I have zero support from my family in this regard. It's really hard. And covid situation has made it even harder since outdoor activities are sparse. I can't go to gym, can't go to work, can't go meet my friends.

Nonetheless, since I can't afford therapy, self help books is the only thing that keeps me motivated and focused. So please do recommend books that have helped you. I would love to read them.

Currently I am half way through 'Big Fat Truth' by JD Roth.

My app is still giving me problems, so I apologize if there are a million posts from me saying the same thing
I am starting a new program for December - Jillian Michaels Body Revolution, since I need something I can do at home with minimal equipment. I'm still working, still stressing, and trying not to run to sugar but I've been failing lately. My exercise goal for the month is 3hrs per week. My weight goal for December is to be at or under 150, though it's less than 5lbs away it feels like miles. I'm looking forward to a great month as a team and I'm excited to meet any new members!

dheliason
December week 1
Monday
PW: 152.5
CW: 150.4

Not bad coming off a Holiday week. I did get a lot of running in this week.

Daily post: Monday
Track: yes
Exercise: yes
Under calories: yes
Went on a big bike ride today. Getting back into the swing of things!

Congratulations @nicholemurphy87 our team Biggest Loser for November (thanks for carrying the team)

Daily Post: Tuesday
Track: yes
Exercise: yes 1/2 hour on the stationary bike
Under calories: yes

Ruthieg68527
December Week 1 Wednesday
PW 188.4
CW 188.1

Daily post: Wed
Track: yes
Exercise: yes a mini bike ride
Under calories: no

Nicholemurphy87
PW 247.8
CW 246.8

Week 1 weigh in . Definitely a slow week for me, i could have done alot better but its a loss !!

weightannihilator
December Week 1(Friday)
PW =226
CW=224.8

lsabeIIe
December week 4
Friday
PW: 141.7
CW: 140.4

After "plateauing" for months, the last weeks make me really proud I kept going. Consistency really works even if sometimes it feels like you've been stuck for so long.

I'm really excited to get so close to my goal!

Gold6767
PW: 154.8
CW: 153.6

After several weeks of no progress I am thrilled with this!
@Isabelle I'm only 1 week into Body Revolution but so far I really like it. I'm not doing to exact meal plan in the program though.

@Gold6767
I wasn't following the meal plan when I did it, just the workouts.

... Congrats for your loss!