So last time I ran the challenge there were some things I learned just like the challenges before that! Here are some of the basic questions I've been asked over the past few challenges.
Q: When does the challenge start and when does it end?
A: The challenge starts officially on September 9th and ends on December 3rd. I'll start collecting starting weights on September 2nd and collect them until September 8th.
Q: Do I have to follow the Biggest Loser Diet plan?
A: No, you can be on whatever diet and exercise plan you are currently practicing or you can start a new one.
Q: When will I know what team I'm on? Where will my team post to each other?
A: The teams will be announced on September 8th in the late evening. Two chat threads will be made for each team. You will post to your team in the appropriate thread.
Q: Do I have to participate in team discussion and chats?
A: We obviously can not force you to participate. But being on a team means communication and that is key for moving towards a common goal in this challenge. We really are looking for individuals who will check in with their team and participate so we know how you are doing.
Q: Where do I weigh in? When do I weigh in? How do I weigh in?
A: Two threads will be created for each team for their weigh ins. You can weigh in any day of the week just as long as it's before the cut off day and time. You can keep any preexisting weigh in days that you may have already in place. For instance I weigh in on either Tuesdays or Saturdays when I go to my WW meetings. For others it may be different. There's a specific format that we use to weigh in (see below) and I ask that once you weigh in that you please do not change your weights. You'll simply be editing the same post in your team's weigh in thread every week so it's all based on the honor system.
Q: What is the format? How do I edit the same post?
A: This is the format for this challenge:
Week 1 (9/9 - 9/15):
Week 2 (9/16 - 9/22):
Week 3 (9/23 - 9/29):
Week 4 (9/30 - 10/6):
Week 5 (10/7 - 10/13):
Week 6 (10/14 - 10/20):
Week 7 (10/21 - 10/27):
Week 8 (10/28 - 11/3):
Week 9 (11/4 - 11/10):
Week 10 (11/11 - 11/17):
Week 11 (11/18 - 11/24):
Week 12 (11/25 - 12/1):
Some people also find it helpful to add the weigh in deadlines to their format to help remind them when the last day to weigh in is.
Week 1 (9/9 - 9/15): Monday 9/17
Week 2 (9/16 - 9/22): Monday 9/24
Week 3 (9/23 - 9/29): Monday 10/1
Week 4 (9/30 - 10/6): Monday 10/8
Week 5 (10/7 - 10/13): Monday 10/15
Week 6 (10/14 - 10/20): Monday 10/22
Week 7 (10/21 - 10/27): Monday 10/29
Week 8 (10/28 - 11/3): Monday 11/5
Week 9 (11/4 - 11/10): Monday 11/12
Week 10 (11/11 - 11/17): Monday 11/19
Week 11 (11/18 - 11/24): Monday 11/26
Week 12 (11/25 - 12/1): Monday 12/3
You can copy these formats from here and post it in your teams weigh in thread. You edit your post each week by clicking the edit button on the lower right hand corner of your post and then add your weight for that week then press save.
Q: What is the cutoff time to weigh in?
A: The cutoff time is every Monday following the week of the weigh in and all weights must be recorded on your weigh in post by 11:59 pm EST. After 11:59 pm the team leaders will review the weights and attempt to contact you for a final time. If we don't hear from you we'll have to take action. This does not apply to the week of September 2nd to September 8th.
Q: What holidays are going to be occurring during this challenge?
A: I checked my calendar and from what I can tell these are it:
Starting Weigh In Week - Labor Day - September 3rd
Week 10 - Veteran's Day - November 11th & 12th
Week 11 - Thanksgiving - November 22nd
Q: I notice we are playing during sometime that I'm taking vacation. What can I do to keep from being removed?
A: If for some reason you are taking vacation and are unable to weigh in, you need to let your team leader know ASAP. You have the option to either weigh in early, or you can use a freebie week.
Q: What's a "freebie week"?
A: Freebie weeks are weeks were you either you can't get to the computer or something has come up that you can't weigh in. You have 2 of these for the entire 12 weeks of the challenge. So for instance if you can't weigh in, the leaders use your last weigh in as your weight for the week you miss. Once you use both freebie weeks, and you don't weigh in, you'll be removed from the team.
Q: I noticed in past challenges people had to sit out. Are we doing that this challenge?
A: No we will not. Everyone is participating and everyone is getting counted this time. This is true even if the two teams are uneven.
Q: I noticed there are a lot of side challenges to participate in. Is it required?
A: None of the side challenges are required, but it's incouraged that you participate to help out your team.
I'll add to this list as more questions come in. Hope this helps out!
I fixed it.
