Hello Kennedy,
I will try to answer your questions. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong!
LOL
1. LAWL went to numbered plans back in July, August time frame, I think it was, about the time that they split from PWL. I think LAWL in Canada just changed over to the numbered plans at the beginning of this year. PWL stayed with colored plans, but then went belly up end of 2007 as you probably know. I still belong to LAWL (some of those have closed as well) but found that the colored plans with less starch was MUCH better for me.
2. Teams - I think those are the Biggest Loser teams that formed - I can't remember when. I didn't have a lot to lose, so didn't join in. I don't know how our LAWL/PWL losers are doing on that, but I enjoy seeing how they have done!
3. I think there is usually a challenge going on of some sort. You just set yourself a personal goal and try to reach it by a specific date. I remember once there was a no-scale challenge where no one weighed themselves at home and didn't look at the COD scale for a week or something like that. Not everyone participates, just those that hope that in a challenge, their mindset might be a bit better.
Good luck with your weight loss and glad to have you on board.
HTH