Lonnie...thanks for asking!! I'm not struggling I promise, just going through alot right now with my dh, its been a stressful/busy couple of days. But things should start getting back to normal so I should be a better leader from now on! Of course I say that then all **** will break loose LOL!

Have you guys seen Black team recently? Those girls are kicking @$$!! We need to pull ourselves together and run this challenge out in style! So I wanna know:

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area?

2. What do you think would help you?

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area?

Lets see if we cant get our team on the same track...towards success!! Please answer the above questions everyone!!

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area?
I'm not so much struggling as right now I'm focused on other parts of life that arent weight related. The scale is slowly moving down but I've not been following a plan or exercising. I'm kind of excited right now to work on me. I really want to see what I can do in the next month to really make some changes.

2. What do you think would help you?
Support is what helps me. To know I'm apart of a group that actually encourages and wants me to succeed. I think we need to make some connections and really motivate each other to conquer our problems.

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area?
My attitude is what I'm excelling at. I'm just in a whole new place in life and not focused or obsessed with numbers.

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area?
Not struggling with anything really but gaining weight because of the meads. I have at least taken off all the weight I have put back on. I have been so busy the last couple of weeks I sure haven't had time to eat lol.

2. What do you think would help you?
I am glad after Monday I am all done. Well, except day to day stuff. What helps me is a schedule, a routine. I can't wait to get back to my routine of eating and exercise AND chatting here off and on all day. I really need everyone here. I need to chat and laugh with everyone. I need to give advice and be given advice. All this really helps me mentally and physically on this journey I have taken.

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area?
I have excelled at putting myself first for the first time in 20 years. What I eat, how I exercise and chatting with all of you comes before other things. I am important and now is my time to take care of me.

I really don't know. I have been having a lot of stress and headaches lately. I am eating ibuprofen like candy anymore. I get depressed when I don't stay OP and lose weight. It's frustrating to watch the damn scale go up and down. this week I was just happy to get it back to the last logged weight. I don't want that. I want it going DOWN past that point. But when I get frustrated I have a tendency to say eff it and eat bad things, so there ya go.

I think the Black team is rocking it too, and not to hurt feelers here, but I miss them. They got it together and are kicking butt. I don't find that our team has the connections this go around that was here last time, and like it is over on Black. They have connected emotionally with each other, and are there for each other, yet kick each others butts when needed...lovingly of course.

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area? With Food, and the lack of support.

2. What do you think would help you? I don't know, I guess, the team support would be nice, but I guess ya can't have everything. As for here (at home) personally, I can NOT buy the bad stuff. If it's not here I can't eat it.

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area? I am totally doing swell in the water dept, and exercise, because I am forcing myself to do it again until I like it again.

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I also would like to say that I am sorry if I have hurt feelings but I am a blunt and to the point kind of gal. I am not feeling the support I need from this team or this challenge. I am not talking about our leader because I know she has a lot going on, and we've chatted on Yahoo. I just feel like I get passed over so much when peeps do personals and whatnot and that's what I mean about feeling invisible, and please don't start now because I am complaining. I am so ready for this challenge to just be over, and I am seriously considering not joining in the next one. Those who know me know that this is unlike me. I usually stress the end because I don't want it to come, and I am usually the first to make a chat thread to keep us all connected in between challenges.

Anywho, that's all I've got.

1. Right now I am struggling in just about every area. My eating has been horrible, and I just don't have the drive to exercise. I haven't been drinking my water.

2. I, too, feel a little disconnected this time. I'm not sure why it's different this time, but it's entirely possible that it's me. I am struggling in my personal, non-weight related life. My life is so boring, it's hard for me to even post anything that's going on with me. At work, I am primarily alone and am the only one who doesn't go home for lunch so I eat by myself every day. After work, I go to my second job where I am the only person there. I then go home where I am the only person...eat dinner all alone. On a good week, I'll get to spend a couple of hours with my best friend and her family. I'm incredibly shy and have trouble meeting new people. I feel all alone a good part of the time. Support would help me.

3. Truthfully, not excelling at anything weight related at this time.

Karen - I eat my lunch by myself at my desk every day. I take a good audio book or great music on my mp3 player and try to use the time as a respite. Do you have time to join a group in town? A book club at the library, a church group, maybe volunteer at a shelter or food pantry? Connecting to people and helping people at the same time is a sure way to feel great AND meet some great folk.

Roni - I'm sorry you aren't feeling supported. I'm not doing many personals this contest (too busy to spend much time on 3FC this time around) so I'm sure that I haven't done my part to support you.

That being said, I love the leadership you have given to our team. When Melissa has been dealing with the multitude of issues that have come her way in recent months, you have stepped in and tried to keep us on track. It is much appreciated. I really appreciate the exercise challenge and I have tried to post to it daily.

I haven't connected to our red team like I did in the last challenge either. But, this is my fault. In the winter, I have more time for 3FC. And - the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. Not doing personals does keep me disconnected from the team. It is my loss.

Answers to the questions:

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area? No - as I approach my one-year anniversary of beginning this journey, I am still going strong and I am comfortable with the slow and steady progress that I have made.

2. What do you think would help you? To continue to stay accountable with my plan progress - especially my exercise.

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area? Staying OP. I have been able to adjust on the fly if needed and keep my calories under 1400 every day.

Thanks Roni - I have 2 wonderful dogs who I adore. They are great company. My little one has been with me for 15 years. We've been through a lot together. I think I get on their nerves at times because I "hug" them quite a bit...not too fond of being woken up from a deep sleep. And they are both getting up there in age. My little dog got hit by a car a year and a half ago and I almost lost her (thank God for my miracle vet....the first guy wanted to cut off her leg and/or put her down). I tend to smother them with love a bit more now...especially when that commercial for the abused animals comes on tv. (I can hardly watch that commerical.....it breaks my heart) I don't think I would have survived as long as I have without them. I live in a pretty small town.....no dog parks to speak of.

Counting....I have been reading on my lunch break lately and it's really helped. I almost am disappointed now when something comes up and I can't read my book. I'm so impressed that you are nearing your one-year anniversary. I only hope I can say the same thing in a year! I'll think about groups to join...I'm just so shy it makes me nauseous to even think about it. I need to get over it I suppose.

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area?
Struggling with my eating -- but that's always been a problem -- on a positive note, this is the longest I have stuck it out since I gained all this weight in the first place, so I know I'll lose it. It could be quicker if I was better at it, but I'll take what I can handle.

2. What do you think would help you?
Honestly, nothing -- I need to help myself.

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area?
My exercise has been increasing and consistent -- I haven't quit but have actually sought out extra work for a change.

Since we are all confessing -- To be honest, I'm not terribly comfortable with the chatting -- you all seem to know each other and have obviously done quite a few of these challenges, I just don't feel like I'm educated enough on them to keep up with your conversations -- but I am determined to stick it out until the end!! Most of you seem so intense and commited, I feel like I'm faking it and drawing away from your accomplishments.

I feel terribly guilty that I still don't know everyones name/personal info enough to check in on a more personal level.

I also doubt I will do another one, I just don't have the time in my day to keep up

Nonsense....you are in no way drawing away from our accomplishments (this is from someone who has not been intense and committed this time round )

1. Are you struggling? If so in what area?
I was struggling in attitude...I kind of gave up for two weeks, make that 4 weeks. I was so glad to have the 5k over, but I didn't have a goal to aim for. Getting ready for the 5k gave me something to strive for in the short term which really helped me out.

2. What do you think would help you?
Support. I am in agreance that the support isn't here as much as it has been in contests past. This is the first contest that I have done though when TBL has not been on TV. I really think that having TBL going on during these contests helps keep everyone motivated. Also, during the summer, people are not online as much, either spending time with the family, on vacations, or just enjoying the nice weather. I know I have fallen pray to each of these. It's not an excuse, but it's how I am seeing it. I wish I had the time to do more personals, I keep saying that I will be better, but it seems to get better for a couple of days and then it goes to pot again.

3. Are you excelling at something? If so what area?
Getting back into this! haha That, and drinking water. I am making it a point every day to drink at least 3 or 4 20 oz bottles of water.

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I too have felt looked over and invisible on the thread in the past. And I'm sure many have felt that I have looked them over if and when I do personals. I don't mean to do it just like I'm sure others don't mean to look each other over. I do think of each of you girls daily even if I can't get on here to post and tell you about my days whether good or bad, struggles or no struggles. I too have thought about not joining the next TBL contest thread, but then I think to myself that if I don't come on here, I won't push myself to do my best. I love the support that you girls do give me ... and each other. It is inspiring. I'm not going to put down our little community, I enjoy coming here and sharing my joys and/or my struggles. You have all been there, done that...you know what I am going through with the weight for the most part. I don't have family near me to lean on when I need support or to say "Hey, guess what I accomplished today with my weight loss..." or "This is my goal and this is how I'm going to accomplish it..." Sure I can call my mom or talk to my friends here, but my mom can't work out so it kind of bumms her out when I talk to her about this stuff, and my friends at work just don't get it for the most part...some do, but I don't share everything with my co-workers...they are never going to know my weight for example. I'm sorry, but I had a hard time telling my husband and my mom how much I weigh. Okay, so that was a tangent!! Needless to say... I love this section of 3FC, even if we aren't all that connected this go around... I will be back for the next session. (BTW, I am blaming the unconnectedness on it being summertime. *dang, now I have the new New Kids on the Block song stuck in my head***)

I think the summer and the fact that the show isnt on is a HUGE factor!! And why this will be the last time this challenge runs when the show isnt airing.

Typically I start my morning do personals to everyone...this is the first round i've not been able to do it and I think for my own experience this makes a huge difference. I've not connected with anyone because I havent gotten the chance to know everyone. I love when we do QOTD. And I love when we do surveys because I get into your heads! LOL! I think we need to do more of this so we can realize just how much we have in common! Knowing we are not alone is going to help us ALL!