I got my full 120 minutes in last night. Man I love this show:D. It gives me that last chance workout before I WI. I posted my weeks WI amount. I am down 2.4 lbs, so I hope that helps the team this week.

Ok so I started this post at 8:00 am this morning when I get into work. I took about an hour to write down everything on paper so I knew what I needed to say. I plan on doing the same to address the other 2 teams as well. Since each team addressed different things, each response will be different.

First, my QOTD was not intended to spark any kind of "gain hate" and that's sort of the vibe I'm getting from people. I understand completely that people gain and lose differently. My comments about this week's weigh in were just my personal displeasure with losing, because like Bob, I hate losing.

Second, my QOTD wasn't intended to call out "newbies" to the challenge or anything like that. Some of the new people participate more than the veterans! In any case, it wasn't intended to make anyone feel "left out", "invisible", "not part of the gang" or anything of that nature. If that's something that you feel, I think maybe it's been harbored long before I asked that QOTD.

Third, IF for some ridiculous reason that you think my QOTD is pointing a finger at you saying that you never participate, then you know yourself that you don't. I didn't say any names, I just stated the fact, that there are people that don't participate. In my personal opinion, I feel like those people tend to drop out or gain more. Opinions are like bellybuttons, everyone has one. I never said that people that don't participate in the chats don't workout, don't eat right or anything like that. So please stop trying to put those words in my mouth. What I simply put was that it p****d me off that people don't participate and they are all telling everyone in the signup thread they are excited and need the support, but then never take the time to come to the chat thread. Period.

I also wanted to quote this just in case anyone missed what I said.
Now... I'm going to get to each person that answered my QOTD with some insight and comments of my own. I'm playing devil's advocate in some cases, just so many of you see both sides of the line.

Karen - I'm really glad that you feel like the online chats help you. I know that others feel the same way, even if they chose not to say anything about it.

Erin - I like the 2 week posting rule that you came up with. Most of the time the challenge runs throughout the year, but I usually have one that starts up in January because of the people that do actually want to start their weightloss journey then.

Rhonda - :hug: I'm thankful for the time you invest in this challenge as well. I wasn't really suggesting that everyone be on the same team over and over. I know that Diva loves Melissa as a team leader, just like Marianne loves me. It would just basically allow returning regulars to choose what team they want to be on.

Theresa - I wish that we all had enough time in the day to do personals, and if I didn't ever address you in one of mine I apologize. I do think that we need to work on recognizing losers more than gainers, but in the same token, if the person that did gain doesn't divulge information as to why they gained, really the only thing that can be said is its ok, try harder next time. With more specific information, people would be able to analyze the reasons more clearly. But this also draws back to my comment about walking on eggshells. I've had a many a situation where I said one thing online and it got taken in the wrong context. (Sort of like this QOTD) :lol:

Dee - You all don't necessarily frustrate me, I just get upset that people get all excited and say they need the support but never post.

Brenda - The QOTD wasn't targeted at anyone specifically. Guilty conscience? ;)

Kelly - The QOTD idea is a good one, but that would happen if someone was sick, went on vacation or had home issues they couldn't get to the computer? Who would keep track of all of that? I agree that people should participate no matter what they talk about, at least so we know they are human.

Marianne - Post counts would help, but sometimes the low post count people stick it out longer than people with thousands of posts. (Can't name one off hand) The minimum 1 post a week is in place for the titles, but I don't know if people really care. I really think that if you aren't in it for the comraderey, the support or the team, its a waste of time. You could be posting a number every week elsewhere giving yourself your own titles. :lol:

Zinke - To expand on the minimum post count option, even if someone meets the minimum, who's to say that they will post in the chat? Most of the "non participators" (meaning they've never posted in the team chats at all.) have over 50 posts and still don't post in the chat.

Cristina - To be honest, I think it takes a challenge or two or persistent posting to feel like you are in the "gang." I think that it seems like to some people that some have been in this challenge forever, made relationships and don't want new ones. This is not the case. As far as feeling like a part of the crowd, I'll use the analogy. Have you ever walked into a crowded room wearing a black dress where everyone is talking and wearing black and tried to get everyone's attention? It usually doesn't work well. But if you did the same thing in a pink dress, you may not get the desired effect. Really, the way to get wanted conversation in this challenge is to converse with others. I'm not saying that you have to have a personal for everyone. But try personals or striking up conversation with a few people you'd like to know better and move forward from there.

Melissa (mommy) - I'm sorry you feel that way. Best of luck to you.

Nori - We can't really limit how many times people gain cause of TOM and so many other variables.

Well I'm getting off my :soap: for awhile.... its raining so I'm especially deep in thought and wanting sleep today.

Kelly, Congratulations on your 2.4 pound loss! Yes, it does help the team. :carrot:
I believe that we get from the challenge and from the chats are equal to what we invest in the challenges and the chats. If we're not willing to invest something of ourselves, then we probably won't get much benefit. I need my blue team. I post here on our chats and on one other accountability thread and I honestly believe that this helped me to lose over 30 pounds and keep it off. You all keep me motivated to keep going. Today, I'm tired and I don't feel like doing this. But, I know that my team is counting on my weight loss on Monday and I don't want to let all of you down. And, I love hearing about everyone's journeys, challenges, successes....because this encourages me that I'm not alone in this world with my struggles to lose weight. You all are my support, therefore, I choose to invest time to come here and post. I choose to become a cheerleader for each of you. I choose to put myself out there with hopes that it helps someone else on their journey. I choose to be a teammate.

Well its definitely TOM which hopefully won't affect anything too much. I ended up not getting anymore depressed so the no caffeine is definitely working. I'm still going down a bit in weight everyday so as long as I am good today which I have off and is hard to be good I will probably post a loss next week. Last night we got 6 inches of snow and now its pouring outside. With the way it sounds outside I would say people are driving like idiots again. Its still cold enough where the rain is freezing when it hits stuff. Thanks all for the comments on my glasses. I'm getting more used to them.

I love your questions of the day. I was just trying to come up with something that would get each person involved. I enjoy my QOTD think time:)

I got the last 70 minutes in but didn't do the commercial assignments. I was folding laundry the first part of the show and it had to be done...I am way behind on housework.

Now off to the store yet again...then to do my daughter's birthday party at school and get the rest of her invitations out for her skaing party :faint: I'm about wiped out, but got up this AM and did my Jillian anyway. Proud of that.

Kelly 2.4 lbs. will definitely help the team :D Good Job!

Rhonda, I think you are an awesome member of both groups :hug: You are one I feel I have gotten to know and I do hope I support you back...I sure try to :)

Are we losing site of the goal here? Is the challenge overshadowing our goal of losing weight?

The challenege could be a supplement to our weight loss--eating and workout goals. However, it is not our path to weight loss. That path lies within us, and that is incredibly different for all of us. We are going to use the support and challenges of this team to varying degrees.

I like it when we win. I do. I think it is WAAAAAY better than losing. But if another team wins, their weight loss also is a victory to be celebrated. We should be congratulating them with our whole hearts.

Yes, when one signs up for a challenge that requires team play, that person should be a stand up individual, literally pull his or her weight, participate, offer support, receive support and be present to the opportunity this challenge affords. That is not going to be 100% true here or in real life. Ultimately, one can seize opportunity or ignore it. Their personal goals will suffer or be achieved. It is unfortunate that it hurts the team, but the team is secondary to our big picture....better health and a smokin' hot bod.

My two cents.

Selina has also inspired me and I've also been considering trying this for a while. Purple, if you and Selina don't mind a copycat, I think I'll also finally take the jump and try this. Just imagine where we'll be a year from now!

OMG, I in no way have any "gain hate" and I'm sorry that it came out that way! I'd have to hate myself if that was the case.:) Uh, yeah!! Remember I immediately followed my insane thought up with that! I should have just deleted it out, but was thinking and typing at the same time. I'm in a foul mood today and my back is killing me.:mad: I want to do some exercise but I'm thinking that my 1.75 hours yestersday was too much for my back.:( Going to do some stretching and see if I can loosen things up. The Naproxyn isn't doing anything.

BBL when I can sit longer.

Thanks so much to all who responded to my calorie-counting question. Spark People has given me a 1550-1850ish range, so we'll see how that goes for the next couple weeks and then readjust! I had gone up 3lbs suddenly this week, and have dumped 1lb as of this morning.

I hated Melissa a little last night, as I was wall-sitting and planking and shoulder-pressing. It was a pleasant hate though, because I got a good workout in!

Anna - You're so right that the path is SO different for each of us. The why and how of each of us becoming overfat is different, and so will be the why and how of each of us becoming healthier and fitter!

Chelle - "Opinions are like bellybuttons, everyone has one." :rofl: And it's true, I heart you as a leader! :D I'm still torn on the issue of moving people around on the teams or not - I can really see pros and cons to both ideas. Also, I see your point about post counts.

Kris - I'm sorry you feel invisible, but I think you're right - two posts in a 1100+ post thread are going to make it hard for us to get to know you. If you post more, we can get to know you better and interact with you more! You DEFINITELY have valuable things to contribute - we're all in this together, and sharing our challenges and successes keeps us going.

Nori - About the freebies - use them however you need to! Some people use them for gain-weeks, some use them when they're away or busy, etc. I used one this week because I couldn't find my scale! ;)

Also a big :woohoo: for all the big losses being posted, and for all the workouts being done through stressful/tired/TOM times! This is going to be a MUCH better week for us Bluezers!

Good morning all-

Chellez-I didn't take your QOTD as a finger pointing - only as a point of discussion. Discussion is good and always brings up several new thoughts and perspectives.

Just to clarify.....yes, I do feel invisible in this thread but I totally know it's because I haven't been a regular participant. There was no judgement intended-I know 2 posts in 1000+ is nothing. As with the rest of this site, I know when I need the support, it is here and so awesome.

In my case, I guess I just didn't read the fine print or realize that more participation was required. This is my first challenge and I'm not a BL watcher (it's not on cable where I live and we don't get network) so it's all a learning experience for me. I'll try harder.

Having said that, the scale bounced back up this week. As I've never tracked my weight weekly, it could just be a pattern that my body follows. Down, up, down, up, down up......I feel like I'm on a teeter totter ride. My doctor says not to fret-that the trend is downward - it's just that it can get frustrating that it is going down so slowly. For now, I guess that's my path though.

Enjoy your day.

That is the reason why I weigh daily. I've been tracking my weight for the last year. I put mine into a spreadsheet and figure a 10 day average. Even though for this challenge it doesn't seem like I have made much progress as I am currently breaking even. The scale always seems to jump back up on WI day. I should probably switch days but Monday just made the most sense to me at the time. My average however has fallen 1.5 pounds. Not impressive but it is those 1.5 pounds that add up and have taken off 30 pounds in the last year. That is what matters most to me.

You know this is one of the reasons I think you are fabulous. However, if you start posting standard deviations, I am going to recommend therapy (regardless of what Bob thinks of it). ;)

Rhonda, you can be a tag along with me...long as Selina doesn't mind being looked up to and copied for the next year :lol:

I did not take the QOTD to be finger pointing or anything negative :) I think it was good to have to it out as a team and challenge as a whole. I feel better that it is out there and has been discussed, and maybe other people lurking but not posting will feel better and start posting more, too. And I have no hate for gains, just would like more focus from the team on losses as well.

Carry on Blue, I am working hard for good loss next week, hope you all are as well.

Hello all...

Chelle...I will just say we will agree to disagree. I have done personals and I try to congratulate people when they lose etc....so what I put isn't necessarily returned. But at this point I don't care. I am pluggin along because I joined this challenge for a reason and that is too lose weight. Thought I would make some new friends along the way but oh well. And I won't say anymore because then people take it as whining and saying oh la de dah, blah, blah blah....so anyway...

KELLY...WTG on your loss this week! :bravo:

SCGIRL...WTG to you also! Being in the 150's would be awesome! :bravo:

Got in half my exercise for the day. I always break it in half and do half in the morning, and the rest after Jeopardy, lol. Sometimes I tear it into threes, just depends on my mood and what I am doing.

Have a good one!