Most of these are coming from the previous challenges I've run so feel free to add new questions. I'll try to post answer them as soon as possible
Q: When does the challenge start and when does it end?
A: The challenge starts officially on January 4th and ends on April 4th. I'll start collecting starting weights on December 28th and collect them until January 3rd.
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. I can testify that I've been on about 4 different diet plans since I've joined the boards, you try what works and you stick with it.
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 January 3rd in the late evening.
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.
It's also important to note that in order to be named Biggest Loser, you must participate. Please see Biggest Loser Title Information for a better clarification.
Q: Where do I weigh in? When do I weigh in? How do I weigh in?
A: Two threads will be created, one 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 tend to weigh in on Thursdays or Fridays. 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 (1/4-1/10):
Week 2 (1/11-1/17):
Week 3 (1/18-1/24):
Week 4 (1/25-1/31):
Week 5 (2/1-2/7):
Week 6 (2/8-2/14):
Week 7 (2/15-2/21):
Week 8 (2/22-2/28):
Week 9 (3/1-3/7):
Week 10 (3/8-3/14):
Week 11 (3/15-3/21):
Week 12 (3/22-3/28):
Week 13 (3/29-4/4):
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 (1/4-1/10): (Monday 1/12)
Week 2 (1/11-1/17): (Monday 1/19)
Week 3 (1/18-1/24): (Monday 1/26)
Week 4 (1/25-1/31): (Monday 2/2)
Week 5 (2/1-2/7): (Monday 2/9)
Week 6 (2/8-2/14): (Monday 2/16)
Week 7 (2/15-2/21): (Monday 2/23)
Week 8 (2/22-2/28): (Monday 3/2)
Week 9 (3/1-3/7): (Monday 3/9)
Week 10 (3/8-3/14): (Monday 3/16)
Week 11 (3/15-3/21): (Monday 3/23)
Week 12 (3/22-3/28): (Monday 3/30)
Week 13 (3/29-4/4): (Monday 4/6)
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. If we don't hear from you we'll have to take action.
This does not apply to the week of December 28th through January 3rd.
Q: What holidays are going to be occurring during this challenge?
A:
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 13 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: Is there a way to earn freebie weeks?
A: Previously, we had a way to earn vacation freebie weeks during the summer. This no longer applies to this challenge.
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 encouraged that you participate to help out your team.
Q: How do you determine a winner / winning team?
A: We base everything off of percentage of weight loss just like the show.
Q: Who are these new team leaders?
A: Myself and Melissa (Hun.e.b) need a break from running the challenges, so we have appointed Dixied (Dee) and Cakses (Cat) to head up the teams for this challenge. I'm sure they will both do a wonderful job.
Q: Will there be a team for people that can't make the December 27th deadline?
A: No, while we tried this before with the black team, it is difficult to organize late comers into a challenge and have everyone feel the hearty welcome they deserve.
Q: How do you chose who is on what team?
A: Returning members from previous challenges that meet certain requirements have the opportunity to request the team they want to be on. Anyone that doesn't meet those requirements or is new to the challenge is placed on the 2 teams at random to make sure all teams have a similar starting weight.
Q: What's the theme of this challenge?
A: Party Like Its 2009. While the show is going back to the couples theme, we want to celebrate a new year and helping you become the new you in style.
Again feel free to post any questions that come along and I'll be happy to add them to this list.
TBL "Party Like Its 2009" Challenge FAQ
