Good morning

@serenegrace14 - Hi we don't have a start date yet for the challenge but it will be announced on this team as soon as it is decided. The overall leaders (OALs) and team leaders need a bit of time to get teams set up and of course we want to make sure that everyone who wants to join has time to do that. You do need to look at the team feeds and either choose a team (one is already full but all the others have room) or if you aren't sure which team to pick, you can post you request for a team under "Any Team is Great" and you'll be placed on a team that has room. The idea absolutely is to work towards losing 5% of your start weight which you will post on your team on the first day of the challenge. At the end of each week of the challenge (it runs for eight weeks) you are required to post your weight again on you team Weigh In feed. There are a few other requirements - daily exercise which contributes point to your team to "land the plane" each week is expected and we also work on building healthy living habits (LTGL goals) which are things like tracking food, drinking water, using a smaller plate, stretching, just to name a few. The challenge is a friendly competition between the eight teams so earning points for your team is what helps your team to succeed. You will find support from other members on your team and are encouraged to participate in optional team activities when possible. You'll be invited to your team by the team leader when the teams are ready but usually about a week before the challenge begins. One of our OALs wrote a great blog about the challenge a while back so I'll try to find it an link it here for you. I hope that this helps answer some questions. It might seem a bit intimidating (I do remember that feeling) but really is isn't and it can be a lot of fun.

Sorry I can't locate the blog but I should also mention that all teams are private although this main challenge team is public.

@serenegrace14 , This may be the blog Sue was looking for. One of our Overall Leaders, Ceriusly1 shares FAQ about the 5% Challenge:

https://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Ceriusly1/view?id=5-challenge-faq-1006029

Good Morning Airport Friends:

I hope your weekend was a good one. I did a lot this weekend and I feel great about it. I am going to be doing more tonight and then I will continue to do more until the deed is done. I am cleaning out my basement and there is a lot to get done.

@bookieNJ - How exciting for the dance recital and then graduation. You have your hands full this week.
@NovemberGail - I was thinking the same thing. Make sure I can get a workout in while it is relatively still cool outside. Love the lillies. I have some outside in my yard too. They are beautiful.

Well it is time to get ready for work. I have a meeting this morning. Have a good day

Tabatha

@kedwards1996 , the only diet plan I have ever felt satisfied on was a sugar free, grain free diet that was high in healthy fats. I lost 45 pounds on it last year but have plateaued and bounced around within a 5 pound range for more than 5 months. So this weekend, I'm starting a new plan that is calorie based and low fat hoping to jump start the weight loss again. I will be closely watching sugar though as that can trigger hunger. I've noticed corn syrup especially, is quick to turn off my full signals and I eat constantly. So I am legalistic when it comes to avoiding corn syrup.

Since I haven't started the low fat plan yet, I can't critique it, but they say the key is eating 6 healthy mini meals a day. Eating a small amount of the right foods every 2-3 hours is supposed to keep blood sugar levels stabilized and hunger under control.