Hello fellow Black Team members! I have to apologize for being very late to chime into the discussion. I am very excited to be a part of BT and this challenge. I've been crazy busy with work and sick with an awful cough, so I'm guilty of lurking these first few weeks.

I'm hoping this challenge will keep me motivated in my weightloss. I got started in late September making changes to my eating and getting off my butt and exercising. I joined a 12 week fitness program at the gym where I get to work in a small group with a trainer on weights 2x per week. I'm already on my second 12 week program the first time around was so great! I can't believe what a difference adding weight training to cardio makes in the shape of your body. I kind of thought I wouldn't really see those benefits until I was at my goal weight. Instead, I find that even at 200+ lbs. I can fit into smaller clothes now than I did before at same weight. Nice feeling!

It's not all roses of course. My biggest struggle is finding enough time to plan ahead for food and make time to exercise. I've been doing pretty well on this front except for last week when I was downed by illness and traveled to London for work. Hoping I can get quickly back in the groove.

Look forward to continued participation in this thread - again sorry for the late intro post!

Welcome Kristen...Happy Wednesday Team!!

I knew I wouldn't make it to the end of the show last night, so I set the DVR and will catch up with it tonight.

How pathetic is this? The entire first floor of the office building I work in is a 24 Hour Fitness...yes, the entire first floor. It is a beautiful facility, pool, sauna, gleaming equipment, etc. We moved into this building 7 years ago...have I taken advantage of the close proximity of this wonderful facility? Kind of...In 2004 I bought a very nice membership with all the bells, personal trainer sessions and everything. Did I use this purchase? No, of course not...I was too overweight to step inside a gym. So, I have been sitting here for the past 4 years with the time ticking away on my membership....my mom would be happy to tell me that I must have more money than I do sense.
I found my member card and contract a week or so ago. Guess when my membership expires - March 2008. I just came back upstairs from re-newing my membership ($49/year for life now, how could I not?). I also carved out a few minutes on my bosses’ calendar so that he and I can talk about modifying my office schedule so I can work out every other day. This will happen; I guarantee I will get my $49 out of them this year ....

Just finished a Turbo Jam sculpt workout.
Still can't get out for a jog in the afternoons. I am not as committed (or crazy, whichever) to spend any more time outside than I have to when the temp is -13 (before wind-chill)
Just popping in to say hi before having to go out to p/u the kids.

Diva...I am up for the 10 day challenge. I don't think I have ever lasted 10 days on plan before...so now is a good time to start.
Thanks for putting this together!
My legs are screaming at me today....I didn't do the chair challenge during TBL, but I did use my "step" thing (not sure what it is officially called) and stepped for 100 minutes last night. I had to quit at 9:40 to get my youngest to bed.
I am going to try to incorportate that exercise into my weekly routine....a few nights a week while I am watching my favorite shows.
Thanks for the challenge!

this must be a private chat room

hi team!

just checking in quick before I resume packing - we fly out tomorrow to get on the ship. I am so freaking excited!!!

I am up for a 10 day challenge, but won't be able to check back in until next tuesday. I really am going to try to workout on the ship though.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Quick check-in!

Losinit07: TBL is on your local NBC station, whatever that is for you. Here in VA it is on either at 8pm or 9pm, depending on whether it is one hour or two. Looks like next Tuesday Feb. 5 it is on from 8pm till 10pm. Hope that helps!

Vanetta: Don't feel bad, I've wasted more gym memberships than I can count! All that matters is what you do now and in the future.

Hi everybody else! I have to run, but good luck staying OP today!

Helllllllllloooooo team!

Thank you Chellez for the banners - those are too cute!!! I want more of them.... by the end of the challenge, I want my entire signature to be "Black Team - Week X Winners" banners!

The chat really seemed to pick up this past weekend. I skimmed through when I got home, and I've taken more time today to go through each post to see how you all are doing!

Reda355 - Hope you have a BLAST on your trip! Congrats on leaving while under 170! I can't wait to get there myself! Good luck with your weigh-in on Thursday!

Caitbeans - AWESOME NSV on the size 14!!!! That's my "goal size" for my anniversary trip in March. You mentioned Macy's in your post and it really caught my attention because I work at the Macy's here in Tulsa. They do have some really nice "business/casual" stuff. I want to get a cute cocktail dress from there for my Anni. trip to go see Michael Buble' Good luck on your weigh-in this week!

Spinymouse - I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear friend. I know that something like that has to be really rough. It's okay if you have to have time to re-group on your exercise and diet. Something like this isn't just a breeze to get through without some type of sacrifice. Don't beat yourself up over it.

ggmugsy - I laughed out loud when you were talking about TOM. I wanted to say me too, right here! My TOM left on Saturday but my cravings and food control have been the same as when he's here. I have no clue what's going on with me.... but it needs to stop!

hotcubanmama - I love your necklace idea!! Very creative! I know that WW had something similar with a "Points Bracelet". I think it's a great idea! We keep a graph paper hanging up in our room with our weigh-ins on it. It's nice to see the line on a steady downhill path. AND, way to go on your 4 pound loss! You ladies amaze me!

dream710 - I say congrats on deciding to not take a freebie despite you having to post a gain. I have yet to post a loss in the challenge! But, you just have to press through, week by week. You'll get there (as will I). And, here's to hoping your parents can come see you this next month! This is the furthest I've ever lived from my parents. And, we're talking of moving to Missoula, Montana next year for a year so I can go to Photography school (and hang out with Melissa aka Hun.E.B). I can't imagine being 20 some-odd hours from them!!!!

Diva - I've heard the You On a Diet books are absolutely wonderful! I love watching Dr. Oz on Oprah. So, I'm sure I'd like his books. He's hilarious and oh-so-smart! And, I love what you posted from Jillian about emotional eating. That's my number 1 killer of all weight-loss. I get my mind so wrapped around eating something that I can't think of anything else. It truly is a disease.

SoulBliss - I've been seeing a trainer for 2 entire weeks, we're currently IN the 3rd week. We meet with her on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Last week and this week since I'm off on Thursday, I'll be meeting with her then as well. Then on the days that we don't meet with her, she gives us homework.... or should I say "gymwork". She gives us one entire day a week off. I'm just getting discouraged because I haven't lost a single pound since starting with her. I know it's probably just muscle being built, but it's still discouraging to step on the scale and see no loss. Way to go to you on thinking not only of yourself but also of us (your teammates) while you're working out. That does mean a lot. I know that I can't function with my "diet" without these boards. My hubby doesn't quite understand the nature of support that is offered on this site. It truly does keep me going. Also, how fun would it be to have a pair from 3FC on TBL!?!?!?! Go for it girl!!!

Vanetta - don't ever apologize for posting a gain. No one here is going to get angry at you. Just jump back on the horse and keep going. You don't drown by falling in the water, you drown by staying there. AND, way to go on re-joining the gym!!!!!

Chiquita623 - I had also thought of doing Curves. I love the concept of it especially! However, it just worked out to be easier that the hubby and I go to the same gym so we can ride together and he can keep me motivated, too...lol

3littleones - congrats on your weight loss this past week!!! AND congrats on the treadmill!!!

Ceegee - WOOHOO on your weight loss as well!! If you need to edit your weigh-in post on Wednesday, that's fine. The only thing that throws me off with editing the weigh-ins is when people edit their PAST weigh-ins or they edit them the day of the weigh-in deadline. I try to double and triple check all the weigh-ins after the deadline to make sure no one has edited. So, thank you for making me aware! Have fun on your cruise!!!

hope4me - thank you for your very encouraging post! and congrats on your loss! I agree with you 100% that you need to be eating how you plan to eat the rest of your life. If someone told me that in order to lose weight I could never ever eat another morsel of chocolate, I'd laugh at them and then have a Hershey's. It is truly all about moderation. Yes, have your grilled chicken, fish, lean meats, veggies and fruits most of the time, but if you want to indulge every once in a great while, I believe it is perfectly okay as long as you do it in moderation!

Tatiana - hey... a pound loss is a pound that you'll never see again, right? You lost enough in your first week to spread out nicely over the next few weeks! lol. You are doing SO great and should be so proud of yourself!!

michie - yeah.... stop in as you can and say "hello!" This is a fun group of ladies (and one man! lol). I hear ya about school though. I'm only taking 3 classes and I'm super busy with that! I can't imagine if it were a full load!

BetteK - WOW!!!!! What a fantastic update at the docs office!!! That is just out of this world!! I'm so proud of you for that!!! I know that you must be on cloud 9 after hearing that news, huh?

Dea - yep... TOM is such a 4-letter word, huh? lol And the pizza incendent... doesn't that just kill you? 3 times out of 4 when I eat something, I'm not really hungry - I'm just in love with the taste of food and the actual motion of chewing. I've been popping gum all day long to try to avoid a binge!

Rainlips - on losing inches!!! That is always such a GREAT feeling, isn't it?

NoVaVTFan - the important thing is that you're here now, right? Jump on in whenever you can! And yes, you're right, it all takes patience and perserverance.

Notthecheat - I've missed TBL the last 3 weeks. I only work part time, and for the past 3 weeks I've been scheduled to work nights EVERY stinkin' Tuesday! Grrrrrrrrr..... so, I couldn't do the challenge at all last night.

hsmomx2 - a huge CONGRATS to you too for making it into Onederland this week!!! That's something to be enormously proud of!!!

sxulcmnky - congrats on being in Onderland this week!!! I'll be sure to make mention of that on the weekly results thread next week! yay!!!!

karma27 - HAHAHAHhahahahahaha about your ex. Wow. That took some balls on his part, huh? Wow. That's just................. sad. lol. Good for you for letting him know what you thought about it though!

ChickiChickibangbang - ABSOLUTELY CONGRATS for being the biggest loser for the team this week. You did so awesome!!!

ahill1979 - wow! I'd say that you have a lot going on in your life lately. Take your time and re-group with yourself. No worries if you slip off plan for a couple of days. Take care of YOU and then get back in the saddle again.

losinitin07 - don't worry about not being able to do personals. Everyone here understands that everyone else here has a life outside of 3FC. We just love to know how you're doing! If you ever get a chance to post any personals - YAY! Go for it. if not, it's perfectly okay - just pop in and tell us how you're doing!

kristin150 - Glad to have you here!!!! I, too, have a problem with planning ahead! I can do it great for about 3 days.... and then it all goes out the window! Looks like you're almost to Onederland!!!! That's SO exciting!!!!

As for me... for breakfast I have 4 egg whites and 1 whole egg, 1 Kashi GoLean Blueberry waffle with Promise Butter and light smattering of syrup. We normally don't eat until after we work out, so breakfast is my biggest meal of the day. And, it's the one that I look most forward to. The Kashi brand stuff is out of this world!!! The waffles are amazing and I LOVE them!!! I've found they are $1 cheaper at our super-walmart than at the grocery store!

I must now go study accounting. Keep up the GREAT work ladies!!

?

This is a public forum, and this is the chat thread for the Black team of which you are a part of right?

Count me in, Diva. Goodness knows I need the accountability!!

How will this work? Do we each need our own ticker or will we have one central ticker on your siggy or someone elses siggy? Gimmee some rules! lol

Hey Diva!
Since I was asking for the challenge, sign me up! I have to be quite honest and say that the 5lbs I lost last week had basically nothing to do with me and everything to do with having bronchitis for 8 days...you couldn't have made me eat if you had wanted to....and now I want my little boost to stick around! I like the idea of adding the exercise challenge into the OP challenge too....So, we are starting on Monday?

Diva....Count me in

I want to do the VD challenge, sounds great! I will catch up later, school work has me a little nuts- tomorrow is my first day on the floor for clinicals, I am so nervous!