Hi everyone,

I'm so glad the team lists are finally up. I'm excited to be on the Black Team and am looking forward to getting to know you.

Today is my birthday and it's the perfect time in my mind to get serious about making some positive changes in my life. I'm looking forward to seeing less of me at the end of the challenge as well as the support you get from a group environment like this one.

I really like the idea of individual get to know you, share some info questions. With that...

Accent: I think Chicago, but everyone tells me I sound like Wisconsin
Best Friend: I have different best friends for different reasons in my life
Chore I hate: Dusting
Dad's name: Rocky
Essential make-up product: mascara
Favorite perfume: Odyssey
Gold or silver? Gold
Hometown: Chicago
Interesting fact: I started volunteering at the Humane Society recently and I love it.
Job title: Metrics Analyst
Kids: just fuzzy ones who never come when you call them
Living arrangements: me and DH with plenty of room for guests
Mom's birthplace: Chicago, IL
Number of apples eaten in the last week: 1
Overnight hospital stays: none - 2 surgeries and I begged them to let me out rather than spend the night in one of those horrid beds
Phobia: stuck by myself in an elevator or anything claustrophobic
Question you ask yourself a lot: Where did the time go?
Religious affiliation: Christian
Siblings: younger sister, older brother (deceased)
Time I wake up: very reluctantly between 6 and 6:30am
Unnatural hair color: I have tried many different colors, the most unusual was a rather vibrant auburn red that definitely came from a paint pot. Right now I'm doing highlights on light brown hair.
Vegetable I refuse to eat: okra :barf:
Worst habit: Was smoking but I gave that up, now I'm working on pack rat
X-tra info? I have a really difficult time sticking with something for a long time, particularly when it comes to self improvement. Always start out with a bang and end with a fizzle. Working hard on overcoming that.
Yummy food I make: I love to cook and am always experimenting with recipes. I make a Strawberry Spinach Salad that everyone seems to love.
Zodiac sign: Taurus

Mine is long haul, he is home every weekend and sometimes a day during the week. It works well for us, we both like having our space while he is gone.

caitbeans--I grew up in Grove City and went to OSU as well, though I dropped out to have my daughter and then moved to NC and decided to stay home with them, but I would love to go back to school one day. Small world, huh :)

This is exactly what I did the last challenge. Lost around 3 lb every week at first and then basically kicked around the same few until the end. I think the most important thing is to stay in the challenge to the end even if you are struggling...stick it out and don't drop out and you have at least accomplished something. I lost 15 lb. last time, aiming for more this time around. We can do this, just have to stay focused somehow.

Well, this is my first time doing TBL, too. I just joined 3FC last month, so I'm still "new" around here, too. Well, here goes my bio..

Accent: Korean. (lol)

Best Friend: hmmm... don't have one I keep in touch with. One in Korea but she decided to become a monk about 5 years ago and haven't been able to talk to her since then.. :(

Chore I hate: laundry

Dad's name: Uk-soo

Essential make-up product: eyebrow pencil? lol

Favorite perfume: Too many to name... I "collect" perfume

Gold or silver? Gold

Hometown: Seoul, Korea

Interesting fact: Army brat (kinda)

Job title: Bilangual Senior Support Technician

Kids: 1 DD

Living arrangements: Living with my DD

Mom's birthplace: Seoul, South Korea

Number of apples eaten in the last week: 2

Overnight hospital stays: 5 nights when having my DD. My water broke on Tuesday morning...and I had to be induced on Thursday and had her on Friday

Phobia: Height

Question you ask yourself a lot: What if.....???

Religious affiliation: non-denomination Christian

Siblings: 1 brother

Time I wake up: 11:15-11:45 AM (I go to sleep at 530ish in the morning bc I work from 8:00 PM to 04:30 AM

Unnatural hair color: reddish brownish blondish... just all mix...? :)

Vegetable I refuse to eat: None

Worst habit: clearing my throat. (I know it sounds weird but when I get nervous, I tend to clear my throat... :?:lol)

X-tra info: lived in Montreal for 6 months, Italy for 2 years, Korea for about 20 years (lol), then Colorado for 1 year and the rest in Michigan.

Yummy food I make: Korean

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Hi Black Teammates!!! I am looking forward to getting to know all of you. I've been yo-yo'ing with my weight for the last 30+ years and I finally have figured out what I've been doing wrong, so I plan to get it right THIS time! Besides losing weight, I'm working on getting my % body fat down and building up my muscle mass.

Accent: Okie

Chore I hate: vacuuming

Essential make-up product: mascara

Gold or silver? gold

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Interesting fact: background in music (primarily 'cello and piano)

Job title: Unemployed paralegal (looking for a position in the SF Bay area)

Kids: 2 sons, ages 27 and 25

Living arrangements: with DH and our dog, Puppy Wuppy (11 years old)

Mom's birthplace: Oklahoma

Number of apples eaten in the last week: 2

Question you ask yourself a lot: what do I want to be when I grow up?

Religious affiliation: agnostic

Siblings: 1 sister and 1 brother (lost in space)

Time I wake up: approximately 8:00 a.m.

Unnatural hair color: natural salt & pepper

Vegetable I refuse to eat: kale (well, I'm warming up to it)

Worst habit: procrastination at times

X-tra info? working on becoming a vegetarian (lacto-ovo for now)

Zodiac sign: Libra

GO BLACK!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Happy2bme!

Hey Black Team! Hi to the returning black team and a big welcome to all the new black members.


HAPPY2-:bday2you:


I'll be back in the am to do personals and share a lil about myself.

Hi Everyone, it's great to be back in black, just finished catching up with all the posts, I'm ready to get going again. I'm not sure what my goals are this challenge, I know I want to get out and walk so much more, but I'm not going to set a weight goal, just get the scale heading down again. I'm also going to cut out the sweets. Here's the questions to learn about me.



Accent: Midwest

Best Friend: My Husband

Chore I hate: emptying the cat box

Dad's name: Don

Essential make-up product: Don't use it

Favorite perfume: never use it

Gold or silver? either

Hometown: Belle Plaine

Interesting fact: I've volunteered on an archaeology dig

Job title: Pastoral Minister

Kids: 2-- Sone 18, Daughter 6

Living arrangements: At home with my DH, and children

Mom's birthplace: Iowa

Number of apples eaten in the last week: 0

Overnight hospital stays: ure

Phobia: Spiders

Question you ask yourself a lot: What am I forgetting now?

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Siblings: 1 sister-dead, 2 bros

Time I wake up: 7:30 -8

Unnatural hair color: when I dyed it was red, now I don't have time

Vegetable I refuse to eat: okra

Worst habit: eating sweets

X-tra info? I live on a farm. I have 2 cats (house, lots of outside mousers) one of my cats has no tail, claws or teeth. I stopped drinking diet pop for lent, and haven't taken it back up

Yummy food I make: Stir fry

Zodiac sign: Leo

Happy Birthday Happy2bme!
So nice to read a bit about all of you.

Black Attack!
 

:carrot:Hey teamies! So glad to be on the BLACK TEAM! Look forward to annihilating the competition! Geared up for some serious hard work and a lot of fun!

Yay to LondonJulz for taking the lead! We'll be looking to ya while we're leaning on each other!
Special shout out to my girl GRAZER! WOOT!:cb: Let's do the dang thing.

Quick tid bits... I'm 36, 4 kids (18, 8, 6, 3). Work in management for a local government agency. I love to fish and am a Lake Havasu junkie May through November. Really pumped about being a part of such great challenge and getting the opportunity to know everyone! I hope the other teams know they're gonna have a fight for the title! Let's do it!

Ooh, happy birthday, Happy2BeMe!

Tara, where in Italy did you live? I studied in Milan for 4 months in 2006 and cannot wait to go back!

I was in Vicenza, which is not that far from Verona/Venice. That was back in 1997-1999 and I went to high school on U.S. Army post. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED that place and can't wait to go back to visit. The highschool reunion was in Italy last year in October but I couldn't afford it... I saw the reunion pictures and all the people that came were like in their 40's and 50's. (yes, my school's reuinon is for all the classes, not like 10 year, 20 year...because it's Department of Defense Dependant School and stuff. :D) Hopefully I will be able to visit before I turn 40. lol...

I went to Milan to take Test of English as Second Language and that was very nice place, although HECTIC. hehe...

Backrow - I am a big fan of chips, so I am very curious to know a bit about these "kale chips" you make so well. I am NOT a fan of kale but anything that is a chip must be okay. Enlighten me about a kale chip, please.

http://www.recipezaar.com/110071

Kale chips recipe. ;)

Hello, I'm 22 years old. My goal is to do some kind of practice 4 -5 times a week.

Accent: Sweden

Best Friend: Yorgeline

Chore I hate: Making laundry

Dad's name: Vilhelm

Essential make-up product: Don't use so much, but I'll have to say foundation to cover acne,,,,

Favorite perfume: Dion, belong

Gold or silver? Gold

Hometown: Stockholm, sweden

Interesting fact: I've lived 1/3 part of my life in dominican republic

Job title: Hotel, reception, administration, economy

Kids: none

Living arrangements: Single and young I live alone

Mom's birthplace: sweden

Number of apples eaten in the last week: 5- 10, have alot of them here

Overnight hospital stays: none

Phobia: terrified of heights

Question you ask yourself a lot: me at home, but I often eat at woork, get free meal there..

Religious affiliation: Christian

Siblings: 4 sis & 2 bro's

Time I wake up: 6 - 9 am

Unnatural hair color: I am natural blond, and I've never changed that..

Vegetable I refuse to eat: Love them all

Worst habit: eating cookies

X-tra info?

Yummy food I make: chocolatecake,, But now I will not do it in 15 weeks =)

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Accent: Midwest with a lil Minnesotah every once in a while

Best Friend: Gary

Chore I hate: scrubbing the tub and dusting

Dad's name: Lonnie

Essential make-up product: lotion and foundation

Favorite perfume: Victoria's Secret Supermodel

Gold or silver? Both

Hometown: Born in Coon Rapids MN, grew up in Phillips NE

Interesting fact: can't think of anything interesting.

Job title: customer service rep at a trucking company

Kids: 1-Madison (5 with an attitude of a 14 year old)

Living arrangements: At home with hubby, DD, and a dog

Mom's birthplace:Minnesota

Number of apples eaten in the last week: 0-unless you count applesauce then 1

Overnight hospital stays: 1 when Madison was born; 2 when she was 1 month old.

Phobia: Snakes

Question you ask yourself a lot: What the heck are you doing?

Religious affiliation: Lutheran

Siblings: 1 brother

Time I wake up: between 4:30-5:30am

Unnatural hair color: used to dye it auburn, but now stick to highlights and lowlights.

Vegetable I refuse to eat: canned asparagus and cooked spinach.

Worst habit: emotional eating

X-tra info? I'm 30 years old, most of my time is spent either working or running DD to her activities. I enjoy making jewelry, scrapbooking, and bowling.

Yummy food I make: creme filled cupcakes :drool:

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Well I'm off to try and run. Yesterday I was mowing the lawn and DD left her baseball out in the yard, I tried to kick it outta the way but instead rolled my ankle a bit. It didn't bother me last night but its kinda achy this morning. Everyone have a on OP day!

good morning everyone!

can someone tell me if i am on black again? the listing seems to be a photobucket image.... and i can't see those at work

Yes maam. You are on the list! Welcome back! I'm new to the challenge but was excited to see my name here too!

YAY! thanks!

i'm glad to be back on the Black Team... you guys rock! looking forward to this challenge. my goal is to lose 15lbs

My goal for this challenge is to stay OP every single day 'til the end. This is a huge challenge for me because consistency is my biggest problem. I got through yesterday but it was really tough. I am a HUGE sugar addict and am detoxing again after letting it slip into my house again...why I even start that to begin with is my issue with consistency. So, I was grumpy, irritable and had a headache all yesterday and today I still feel a bit grumpy because it's rainy out. I am determined to meet this goal :strong: I just feel I can, and will do it.

So I thought I'd throw out a question for everyone today: What is your goal for this challenge, and one step further, what have you committed to in order to achieve that goal? If we share what our biggest obstacle might be as well we can help each other through in the long run.

My biggest obstacle is going to be SUGAR :devil:

my biggest obstacle is staying OP.... once i get back into exercising (i've been sick with an upper respiratory infection, so the gym was out for awhile) i'll be straight with that aspect...

i am going to try to do at least 1 cycling class a week... i haven't tried one yet, but i'm going to try to make it to one on wednesday (next day i have time to go to the gym)

My goal is to reach my goalweight 132.. I can do that by doing exercises -4-5 every week and try not to eat chocolate and cookies..
My biggest obstacle I think is eating cookies when I work late..(I get them for free at work...) I have to stop that right now..

Free cookies would be a big temptation for me as well! Is there a way to keep them out of your sight at least, so you can hopefully not think about them? Maybe pack some healthy snacks and eat those instead?

Sxul--hope you feel better soon, and hope you like the cycling class.

I have to run to the store now because I am out of a lot of my healthy stuff, including salad stuff :( I hate running around in the rain, but it can't be helped.

:cheer2:Lets Go BLACK TEAM:cheer2:

I am also excited to be back on the black team, I will try much harder this time around to lose the weight and keep it off....I was doing PWL on my own after center closed but even though it is a great plan I need the accountability of weighing in every week in front of someone. So I am going to join Weight Watchers Tuesday night that is when our meetings are in town. My goal is to hopefully lose at minimum 1 pound a week but I want to really shoot for 1.5-2 pounds per week.:dizzy: I will take whatever I can get especially with summer coming up it does make it a little harder for me because we rarely stay home when it is nice out, we go camping, my son races cars, and I like to get my motorcycle out whenever I have the chance:moped:
Well again lets win this thing and even if we don't just think of the weight that we can lose...
HAVE A GREAT DAY LADIES AND GENTS!!!!!!!

Purple- Thanks i'm feeling much better... i know the cycling class is going to be hard at first, but i want to do it... so i will :D

theresia - cookies are hard for me to resist... you could always just add one into you diet (if you count calories or points... i know i can do it with counting calories)

also... i'm tracking my protein this challenge... i'm hoping to gain lean muscle and get rid of some of this body fat

Good morning fabulous Black Team -

Did you start your day doing something positive for yourself and the team?

Thank you all for the birthday wishes :grouphug: Very much appreciated :D

Theresia - you need to check out sxulcmnky's avatar for your new mantra.

Purplefirefly - I hear you on the consistency and the sugar issues. I have a big problem with soda and wind up drinking a whole bunch mindlessly. I am going back to tea again. I don't have a problem drinking water, but I never seem to drink as much as I should when it’s cooler out so I’ll supplement with green tea.

Thanks for the kale chip recipe Soulbliss. I love to cook – always looking to try new things so speaking for myself, I’d love to see other people’s ideas.

Bette – I see that one of your cats has no tail, claws or teeth. Is he one of the mousers? Poor guy –must have used up a couple of his 9 lives. Good for you for staying off the pop. :yay: Where was the archaeology dig?

Goth Bunny – you just keep singing and being inappropriate girl! Lots of crabby people will live vicariously through you :D

Terrie – your fear about turning into your mother – it does sneak up on you and happen anyway like it or not :lol:

Will get to other personals later. At first when the teams are so big and we’re getting to know each other, it’s hard to respond to everyone. So if I didn’t catch you this time, I’ll catch you later ;)

To reply to Purple’s question about goals … my intention is to stick to the challenge ALL THE WAY THROUGH and to lose at least 15 pounds. I’m going to do this by setting up regular habits like logging my WW points, planning my meals and committing to exercise. I joined a walking program on Saturday that technically ends in 8 weeks but I can stretch it through the 15 week challenge.

My question to the group – I’m sure we’ll set up some sort of exercise challenge but is anyone interested in doing some sort of a food challenge? I’m not sure of what exactly myself but since food goes hand in hand with weight loss :dunno:

My goal is to stay on plan every day and keep my level of exercise up. The on plan for eating I think I have a handle on. I count calories, so technically nothing is off plan as long as I'm within the calorie level I'm eating at. My last out of calorie day was back in January. I think the last thing that I kind of 'worked in' were some ice cream bars back in March. I did manage to make four of them go almost three weeks, which I thought was good. It used to be that they wouldn't even make it home from the grocery store.

Right now the exercising is going well. I do 90 mins on the treadmill five days a week, and I do a strength training program three times a week as well. (from The New Lifting Rules for Women) I've started substituting a little swimming for the treadmill, although it's hard to keep the intensity level up in the pool. I bought a heart rate monitor a couple of weeks ago to keep myself in line as the summer progresses. I can see as I start to work outside in the garden a little that it's going to be harder to work in the planned exercise. This week was the first time I ended up doing 30-mins of Friday's exercise on Saturday. So we'll see how that goes later on.

Well, I'm off to check on my laundry so I can start my morning time on the treadmill soon. Hope everyone is having a good, on plan, day. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.

I need to find the source of this quote, but I've seen it around:

"You can't out train a bad diet."

(I'm also probably remembering it incorrectly, but the basics are that no amount of time in the gym will make up for eating badly.)

i saw that and was like "omg that's so true" but yet i still have like a peanut butter cookie every once in awhile if my mom has them at her house (i keep those out of my house because i KNOW i will eat them)

i'd be game with a food challenge... like staying OP for so many days... i'm going to try to stay OP for 21 days... since it takes 21 days to get into a routine... since i've been straying from it recently. my OP just means sticking to 1600 calories/day... i also need to find a way to get some more protein into my diet... any suggestions?


ps: i found a great new snack food that feels guilty but isn't.. the ENTIRE bag only has 520 calories in it... i mean.. that's NOTHING compared to a bag of cool ranch doritos... which i LOVE...

http://www.robscape.com/gifs/products/pirate-booty.jpg

RealCdn- wow that's awesome that you have been able to stay on plan since January... i was off plan just about every day last week.... seriously... i think being sick had something to do with it (being home a couple of days means having access to more food during the day than when at work) i also count calories... it's the only thing that has worked because it allows me to fit in treats for myself... for instance... i can have a bag of cool ranch doritos (the 99cent kind) like once a month and not feel bad about it.... but that's about it... also, i have found that fudge bars (the smaller ones, not that wide ones) only have 40 calories... 40 cals, 1g fat, 2g protein... crazy but i can fit those in everyday.. oh and jello now has a rice pudding that i'm addicted to... 70 cals, 2g fat, 2g protein)

Caitbeans---I have 3 more semesters as well,Not counting summers though... soooo December of 2009!! I cannot wait!! this is one the most difficult things I have ever done!!!

Hi Everybody!

I just got in from work to check to see which team I am on and was glad to find out I am on the black list. That sounds funny... we've all been black listed!!;)

I work at night, 7 nights on and 7 nights off. The first and last shifts are from 7p-7a but the others are 11p-7a. I am a nurse and work in an Intensive Care Nursery (NICU). I don't get as much time to get online during my working days but will be able to hang out more during my "off" week which begins this Wednesday.

I simply wanted to shout out a big "HELLO" to every one and say I'm really glad to be on this team! I joined Weight Watchers Online about a month ago and have lost 6 pounds of which I am very grateful. I really believe that writing down everything I eat makes me be more accountable... If I know I have to write it down this often stops me from eating something. Very interesting mind game there. Another thing I have found that helps is to plan my meals for the entire day as I begin my day... that has really helped a lot.

I will answer the fun "get to know you" questions as well as my goals for this challenge, etc. in a couple of days because I have to get some sleep now.

Hoping everyone has a great day! We will be the winners in the end!! I have a feeling about it... Success will be ours!!!!!

:carrot::grouphug::cheer:

One more quick stop in before I'm off to work!

To answer the Goal/Commitment question for this challenge....

Goal is to be aware, everyday of what I am stuffing in my face and to make planned choices :^: as well as get 4 days of exercise a week. My challenge is much like that of reda in that we are doing something EVERY STINKING weekend during the summer. We have a place in Lake Havasu City 6 months out of the year and I have to be on task there as well! If we are not gone, it seems like we are constantly preparing for the next trip. I have a tendency to put off the gym and grab quick snacks when there are constant prep to-do lists approaching. Need to slow down... take care of me first... and then I can give the best me to my family. I hope to hit my goal weight (150) by the end of the challenge. Gonna hafta work hard and keep actively deciding how to fuel my body and break a sweat!

Okay... off to the place that pays my bills! Have a great day teamies!

Hey Everyone!!

Looking forward to meeting you all and kicking some red and blue butt!! :jig:

:carrot:Gooooooo Black Team!!!:carrot:

Oops, forgot to add...

My goal for this challenge is to lose 20 lbs and try to stay OP the entire time. This is going to be hard considering Summer is almost here, BBQ season and birthdays galore in my family (including mine). I've already decided that June 11 is my one off plan day, I'm going to eat my cake and enjoy it! LOL

You're welcome!

As far as food challenges are concerned, I did an "Out of the Box" challenge last time, focusing on eating fresh, whole foods with a minimum amount of vegetables and fruits daily. There was a lot of interest and some participation last time. It's where I'm interested in going again. ;)

I really recommend listening to Ali on Jillian's radio show (I posted the link in ehre somewhere). Even if you don't know who she is, it is so inspiring to hear that girl talk. She said two things that really hit home with me:

"Believe it. Be it." She talked about this like you just have to get it in your head that you can and will do it, period. Then live like it's reality pretty much.

"Set yourself up for success." She knew that when she really wants something she self-sabotages, so she put frozen yogurt in her freezer during that home time before the finale, instead of ice cream. She kept finding herself at the fridge in the middle of the night, as she knew she would, but it was the frozen yogurt instead of ice cream and she would add it into her calories...so she knew what was going to happen and set herself up for success by not having the junk stuff in the house for those nights. She said it over and over in different circumstances, but the bottom line of looking where my problems might be and setting it up for success makes so much sense to me! I am going to think about how to do this for myself today.