Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge -- read important information here and chat below

[tbatchelor]

***current information for BL 9 (Biggest Loser) Spring Challenge starting January 1, 2010***

Read this post for important information and to join follow the bolded instructions.

An updated participant list will be posted on this thread and updated periodically.

The coaching schedule and links to the COW (challenge of the week) will also be posted on the thread.

Welcome to Spring 2010 our time to be healthy again!!!

We worked hard in 2009 but many of us still have a ways to go. If you keep doing what you are now doing the number on the scale may not be much different at the end of the year than what it is now. But what could that scale say if you tried something different this spring?

You can make the plan. You can make the changes. You can work to achieve your weight loss goals. And you can be part of a great group to help and support you!

Welcome to the WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge 2010

It is NEVER too late to join the WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge. To join the challenge post on the thread or PM me and tell me which team you will be on -- loser or maintainer. Also PM your initial weight to Shannon (LuvBaloo), the weight keeper on January 1st. Report your weight in pounds ie xxx or xxx.x.

Our WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge will run for fifteen weeks from Friday January 1, 2010 until Friday April 16, 2010. First weigh in will be January 8, 2010 and weigh ins will be on Friday each week after. Each week starting January 8, 2010 our weekly Biggest Losers will be recognized. Our final results will be posted the week after April 16th.

As usual, you do not have to watch the TV show to be a part of our challenge – you don’t even have to watch the re-runs! We don't always follow the show schedule because we don't know when it starts or ends and our participants like to have it continue.

No one is ever voted off our challenge. After three weeks of not reporting your weight to the weight keeper you are removed from the challenge but if you decide to rejoin you are welcomed with open arms.

The purpose of the WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge is to help you on your weight loss journey and keep us all on track this spring during the season of the Biggest Loser shows. The challenge forces you to be accountable. Each week you will report your weight to the weight keeper (LuvBaloo). She is the only person that will know your weight. Your weight will never be published for anyone to see.

Our Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge has an added component this time -- a separate team for maintainers. If you are a maintainer -- your hard work paid off -- you will part of the maintainers team. Maintainers still report their weight but are scored by whether you stayed within 2 pounds of your maintained weight number. If you stayed on track, you make the list of maintainers for the week and you still receive the benefit of all the support, accountability and encouragement a BL challenge provides. You can move between loser and maintainer status -- it's your choice.

On our Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge we encourage and support each other. We celebrate those small victories and offer advice to help each other meet the weight loss challenges we face. We get to know each other. We laugh together and we cry together. WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge can be your weight loss support system.

You will get out of this challenge what you put into it. If you get serious and use this program it CAN and WILL help you lose weight. As you make choices during the day consider what your fellow losers would do. They would say no to the doughnut at the office but they would find time to get some exercise even if they are tired after a long day. Losing weight is not a 'quick fix'. It takes time, commitment, and lots of hard work. Our Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge is here to help you.

Our WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge will be a little different from our previous challenges.

* There will be two groups losers and maintainers this time.
* There will one mega-thread for the entire challenge. (Don't be afraid of the big thread -- it is a little intense the first couple of weeks but then gets better and was the format that received the most votes in the planning thread!)
* We will not have team captains but will have a different 'coach' each week. They will serve as hostess on the Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge thread, post questions of the day, acknowledge posters, post mini-challenges and offer encouragement. Some coaches may serve for a second week later in the challenge.
* LuvBaloo will serve again as the weight keeper. Thank you, LuvBaloo, for doing this again!
* Donac will be our COW (Challenge of the Week) coach. Weekly challenges will encourage us to develop healthy habits for our bodies and souls. Thank you, Donac, for doing this again!* We will laugh together, we will cry together and a few of us will finish the challenge together, hopefully weighing less than when we started.

Let's review the three components of our WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge.

The weight report
* Your weight report is due each Friday.
* You PM your report to LuvBaloo.
* Report your weigh in pounds ie xxx or xxx.x.
* Carefully review your weight before you send your message to Shannon. PLEASE make sure the weight is typed correctly. Is that 166 or 156? Are you at 174 or 177? Misspelling is forgivable, typos happen, let's just make sure they don't happen with those numbers in your weight.
* Weight reports are required to remain in the challenge. After three weeks of no reports you are dropped from the challenge. After being dropped from the challenge you may return by reporting your current weight. We will welcome you back any time you want to rejoin if your drop out for a few weeks.
* You can chatter on our thread even if you don't do the weigh ins.

The COW
* Donac will post the challenge of the week on our BL9 thread.
* Not every week will involve a challenge.
* Participation in the weekly challenge is optional. You can pick and choose what part of the challenge that you want to do.
* Each challenge will clearly state a beginning date, ending date, and date your points total is due.
* Each challenge will include tasks to preform and point values awarded for accomplishing the tasks.
* It is helpful to print the challenge tasks to refer to throughout the week.
* Points totals may be PMed to Donac.
*Donac will recognize on our BL9 thread those earning the top point totals.

WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge
* One mega-thread will run for the entire challenge.
* Participation on the thread is optional.
* Each week a new 'coach' will serve as hostess on our WISH Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge. Their duties include posting questions of the day, acknowledging posters, posting mini-challenges and offering encouragement. Some coaches may serve for a second week later in the challenge. If you are interested in serving as a coach please PM or email me. We strive to have a different coach each week so that means lots of volunteers!

So that's the scoop losers and maintainers. To join our challenge follow the instructions given above. If you have any questions PM me.

Good luck and have a healthy day!

I would like to be a part of the losers group. What do I need to do?

 

[tbatchelor]

I would like to join the losers group. What do I need to do?

 

[lisah0711]

I'd like to join, but I've never done this posting thing before so I don't know what he meant by "PM" my weight to someone. I'm lost in the "follow the above instructions"! Help!

pamperedlori!

I'm in

I lost 50+ lbs back in 2003 and for the most part I have managed to maintain the loss. I never did lose those last 15-20 lbs though. I usually go into the new year needing to lose 10 lbs, but I'm very proud to report that I am going into this new year without weight gain. This is a huge accomplishment for me since I am a big time stress eater and in November we discovered that our 12 year old DS had a brain tumor. It has been successfully removed and he is perfectly well. The fact that I managed not to gain between that and the holidays has motivated me to lose the remaining weight. The fact that we have a 3 week vacation coming up in July (WDW, Epic Cruise and US) adds to my motivation. So count me in, I'm looking forward to the challenge. We also got a Wii for Christmas and have been playing with the Wii Fit. I was disappointed to find that my Wii fit age is 57 when my actual age is 40. Hopefully this challenge will bring my Wii Fit age down too

my3princes! Sounds like you will be a maintainer in no time!

Count me in as a LOSER. I really, really, really need to get my weight down at least 40 lbs. I enjoy exercise, but I also really enjoy EATING. Hopefully, the accountablity aspect of this group will help me step away from the cookie tray.....

PeterPan09!

I'd like to join the losers team. Do we wait until January 1st to PM our starting weight?

kimwim8! Yes, please PM your starting weight to LuvBaloo, our weightkeeper, on 1/1/10.

 

[beansf]

I would like to join as a loser. I was down to a good weight before our cruise in October, but now I am starting to feel like my body resembles that of Santa Claus. I started eating too much on the ship and just coasted right on through Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had already decided it was time to put the breaks on when I found out about this challenge. I am really looking forward to the accountability and support and HEY - I am always on the DIS anyway

I will be sending in my weight on 1/1. I will try to enjoy these last 2 blissfully ignorant days before stepping back on the scale.

 

[Mom2JPL]

Please add me to the loser team too! I've set a goal for myself this year to get this weight off once and for all!

 

[Life is good]

Hi
Please add me to the loser list- i have been around for several years but had to restart with a new name this fall when I had probs with aol and also killed my laptop.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I posted on the other thread, not sure if I need to again on this one...

Please add me to the list of participants. I really need this! I want to make 2010 the year to really take the weight off and keep it off!

 

[CharityLynn]

I'm another wannabee loser, I'll pm my weight to Shannon. I hope I can stick to it this time I have been slacking for way too long.

 

[leamom2princesses]

I'd like to join on the Losers team. I have 30 lbs. I would like to lose this year. I'm anxious to make some positive change!

 

[LuvBaloo]

I'd like to join the losers team. Do we wait until January 1st to PM our starting weight?

Official weights are always on Fridays. I'm pretty easy-going about when the weights come in, so if there's a day close to Friday that works for you that's fine with me. There's a few people that do WW on Wed so would send their weights in early last round, and also some who did theirs on Saturdays.

I aim to post a reminder for those who haven't weighed in on Sundays, and I aim to get the results put out on Tuesday. I was hoping to get better about getting the results out earlier on Tuesdays, but it will likely continue to be finished off Tuesday evenings.

I would like to be a part of the losers group. What do I need to do?

PM me (LuvBaloo) your starting weight on Friday, Jan 1 (or close to that day) and then keep sending your weight every Friday.

I would like to join as a loser. I was down to a good weight before our cruise in October, but now I am starting to feel like my body resembles that of Santa Claus. I started eating too much on the ship and just coasted right on through Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had already decided it was time to put the breaks on when I found out about this challenge. I am really looking forward to the accountability and support and HEY - I am always on the DIS anyway

I will be sending in my weight on 1/1. I will try to enjoy these last 2 blissfully ignorant days before stepping back on the scale.

I'm doing a bit of that myself - splurged and had McDonalds today. But I know I'm not as bad as I was last Christmas!

everybody!

 

[Disney Yooper]

I'm in. Three years ago, I lost almost 30 pounds just by making some lifestyle changes - drastically reduced my pop, drank my water, parked farther from entrances to up my walking and portion control. I maintained that loss for 2 years. In the last year, I have gained it all back. I need to get that 30 pounds back off. We also just got a Wii and Wii Fit Plus for Christmas. My mother also bought me a couple of the Biggest Loser DVD's.

My problem is that during the week I live alone 400 miles away from my husband and adult daughters and only see them on the week-end. I put 14-16 hours a week in the car travelling back and forth. I don't eat great when I'm cooking just for myself. I tend to eat even worse when I'm trying to make up to my husband when I'm home.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I wanna be a loser too!!!!

2010 - let's try this again!!

ETA: forgot to say our PTO is working out a group now and our secretary got us all pedometers for Christmas. We are trying to do Weight Watchers too.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

My problem is that during the week I live alone 400 miles away from my husband and adult daughters and only see them on the week-end. I put 14-16 hours a week in the car travelling back and forth. I don't eat great when I'm cooking just for myself. I tend to eat even worse when I'm trying to make up to my husband when I'm home.

Do you stay at a place with a kitchen? Could you do make ahead meals when you are home on the weekends and divide them for you and your husband and girls to eat while you are working?
DH travels weekly but he's never in the same place twice so he tries to stay somewhere with a Kitchen and a grocery store near by. And my friends husband works and lives in NYC during the week. She makes his meals when he's home and just brings the empty containers home to refill on the weekends.

 

[JFrey4240]

I'm in too! Please add me to the loser team roster. This sounds like a great way to stay motivated. Thanks!

 

[my3princes]

I'm in. Three years ago, I lost almost 30 pounds just by making some lifestyle changes - drastically reduced my pop, drank my water, parked farther from entrances to up my walking and portion control. I maintained that loss for 2 years. In the last year, I have gained it all back. I need to get that 30 pounds back off. We also just got a Wii and Wii Fit Plus for Christmas. My mother also bought me a couple of the Biggest Loser DVD's.

My problem is that during the week I live alone 400 miles away from my husband and adult daughters and only see them on the week-end. I put 14-16 hours a week in the car travelling back and forth. I don't eat great when I'm cooking just for myself. I tend to eat even worse when I'm trying to make up to my husband when I'm home.

When it is just yourself you could stock up on Smartones or lean cuisine frozen dinners and add fresh veggies. That really helps with balancing the diet and portion control. I also swear by Arnold Sandwich thins. They are only 1 WW point, add lean ham and laughing cow cheese and it's a very low point sandwich that is filling. Pickles are good too

 

[denise]

I'm A Loser...and I'm not what I appear to be....

My favorite Beatles song....

Count me in!!! I want to be a loser too. Need to get rid of at least 20 pounds.I weigh 35 pounds more than I did when I got married and I want it GONE.... Lost 10+ just by not drinking Starbucks any more and have kept that off for a few years. But I need to let the rest go! Timing is perfect, going to Club 33 in April for my work anniversary party and on Disney cruise in July. Everyone will be shocked with the new skinny me. I will feel so much better too....can't wait to start...thanks....

 

[tigger813]

We're going to have quite a group this spring! I really need to start thinking of my questions for my week of coaching!

This really is a great place to stay motivated! I will have about 15-20 to lose this round as I put back on about 5 over the holidays. I have been trying to drink my water the last few days but with my anniversary and a trip to the movies today not really OP. Giving a hot stone massage early tomorrow afternoon and hope to get the 2 mile WATP in sometime tomorrow to get myself going again. It will be easier once my parents leave next week as I'm a bit stressed and my workout room is their bedroom so I need it back. DD1 and I also got an Irish Step dancing DVD that I hope to do 2-3 times a week with her. Hoping to start up my class again but not sure if we'll have enough people and I don't know if I'll have the money as we WAY overspent this month with Christmas. Hoping work will pick up too!

The next 3 months we are limiting ourselves to only the necessities to pay off the cc as much as possible so maybe we can get away for a few days in April. We should be able to do it as long as nothing breaks (knock on wood)! We have a lot of food in the freezer so hopefully we will only need to buy milk, eggs, bread, ground turkey, hamburger and vegetables and some lean cuisines/weight watchers meals for our lunches. I hope to empty my cupboards over the next 3 months and stop wasting food! Any snack stuff the kids want we will make from scratch. No eating out either!

Looking forward to getting to know a lot of new friends during this challenge!

Think it's time to head to bed and catch up on some sleep!

 

[TAKitty]

I'd like to be added in too! I only need to lose five pounds, but I need some motivation to do it.

 

[lisah0711]

I would like to join the losers group. What do I need to do?

tbatchelor!

I would like to join as a loser. I was down to a good weight before our cruise in October, but now I am starting to feel like my body resembles that of Santa Claus. I started eating too much on the ship and just coasted right on through Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had already decided it was time to put the breaks on when I found out about this challenge. I am really looking forward to the accountability and support and HEY - I am always on the DIS anyway
I will be sending in my weight on 1/1. I will try to enjoy these last 2 blissfully ignorant days before stepping back on the scale.

beansf! You've come to the right place!

Please add me to the loser team too! I've set a goal for myself this year to get this weight off once and for all!

Mom2JPL!

I posted on the other thread, not sure if I need to again on this one...

Please add me to the list of participants. I really need this! I want to make 2010 the year to really take the weight off and keep it off!

PRINCESS VIJA! I think I already added you to the list but I will double check.

I'm another wannabee loser, I'll pm my weight to Shannon. I hope I can stick to it this time I have been slacking for way too long.

CharityLynn! You're already heading in the right direction by joining our challenge!

I'd like to join on the Losers team. I have 30 lbs. I would like to lose this year. I'm anxious to make some positive change!

leamom2princesses!

I'm in. Three years ago, I lost almost 30 pounds just by making some lifestyle changes - drastically reduced my pop, drank my water, parked farther from entrances to up my walking and portion control. I maintained that loss for 2 years. In the last year, I have gained it all back. I need to get that 30 pounds back off. We also just got a Wii and Wii Fit Plus for Christmas. My mother also bought me a couple of the Biggest Loser DVD's.

My problem is that during the week I live alone 400 miles away from my husband and adult daughters and only see them on the week-end. I put 14-16 hours a week in the car travelling back and forth. I don't eat great when I'm cooking just for myself. I tend to eat even worse when I'm trying to make up to my husband when I'm home.

Disney Yooper! That taking care of yourself while you are travelling is a tough one but you should get lots of good ideas from all of our participants!

I wanna be a loser too!!!!

2010 - let's try this again!!

ETA: forgot to say our PTO is working out a group now and our secretary got us all pedometers for Christmas. We are trying to do Weight Watchers too.

BernardandMissBianca! Glad to see that you are feeling better.

I'm in too! Please add me to the loser team roster. This sounds like a great way to stay motivated. Thanks!

JFrey4240! (sorry I spelled your name wrong the first time around )

Welcome to all of our new and returning participants. We are going to have a great challenge!

 

[lisah0711]

I'm A Loser...and I'm not what I appear to be....

My favorite Beatles song....

Count me in!!! I want to be a loser too. Need to get rid of at least 20 pounds.I weigh 35 pounds more than I did when I got married and I want it GONE.... Lost 10+ just by not drinking Starbucks any more and have kept that off for a few years. But I need to let the rest go! Timing is perfect, going to Club 33 in April for my work anniversary party and on Disney cruise in July. Everyone will be shocked with the new skinny me. I will feel so much better too....can't wait to start...thanks....

denise! I will be interested to hear about your trip to Club 33 -- I've always wanted to go there. A cruise will be fun, too.

I'd like to be added in too! I only need to lose five pounds, but I need some motivation to do it.

TAKitty! You can move to the maintainer team when your 5 pounds is gone!