I stayed OP yesterday too. I have a parent/teacher conference today. I always love going to see these stuck up idiots first thing in the mornng...yay me.... Sorry, I have no disrespect for most teacher's...Just the ones in my town...

yesterday's menu:

Lots of H2o

B- Wheat toast, 1 tbsp PB w/sliced banana & Milk

L- Cheerios w/Milk

S- mango

D- Chicken, yellow Rice & broccoli

calories 1611

i'm back to 200 ... down 1lb from last week... but i also didn't exercise this week due to my knee acting up

i think i might use my other by week and be back to losing more than 1lb next week

Hey Black Team! I posted this in my Blue Team chat but I wanted to let you know that I felt the same way about you all!

Please take a moment to answer the QOTD, I'll check back later for your responses!

QOTD: If you could change one thing about the TBL challenge, what would it be? Also, how do you think we should deal with no participating chat members?

I think this may ultimately be a selfish answer and many people may not like it, but if there was one thing I could change about TBL challenge, is that the same people were on the same teams each time. Now, I know that some people don't do multiple challenges and drop out after each round, but for people like me who are doing two challenges in a row (or more) I wish we could have kept the teams the same, and then divided the newcomers evenly around the teams. I feel this way because I got attached to the Blue Team last round, especially having Chellez as a team leader. It was my first time doing TBL challenge, so I put a lot of time into reading posts and chatting and I got to know my team members (especially those who lasted through the end). Getting put on the black team for this challenge kinda put me down a little bit because I was hoping to be back with Chellez on the Blue team with my old team members from the last round. I think that everyone on all the teams is probably wonderful, but I find myself less inclined to chat and get to know people this time around because I am still a little sad about not being on Chellez's team. I guess when you get to know people for one round, you want to stick with them for the next because you all know each other already. If those who stick around for the next round got to keep on their teams and then the newcomers were evenly split, I think I would be more inclined to chat and get to know the newcomers. I know this sounds lazy and selfish on my part because it sounds like I don't want to get to know the people on the Black Team, and I am sorry if it sounds like that, but it is how I honestly feel. I have tried to read as many posts on teh Black Team chat and post at least 2 times a week, but I'm honestly not putting the same energy into getting to know everyone on the Black Team like I did the Blue Team last round. It also doesn't help that the first few weeks of this challenge the team chat was pages and pages long, and it seemed like a whole lot to read and catch up on every day, so I fell behind. I also feel like if there was a cut off for the number of people who can sign up it would be easier to read the posts and get to know people also. The round I did that started in September didn't have as many people sign up as this round, and I'm sure that's because this round started at the beginning of the year when everyone has their new year's resolutions. Sadly lots of people drop out quite early in these challenges also, so it seems what's the point of getting to know everyone when most of them will drop out anyways?

I still love these challenges because I like being held accountable for what I am trying to do with my body, and it is nice to have a team to chat with, but it just feels different this time.

How to deal with non-participating members - I assume this is for those of us who are not really chatty - I am trying to post 1-2 times a week with a big catch up for everyone, so I'm not sure if I fall into the non-participating region or not. I'm not sure if this would be possible, but if someone doesn't post for 2 weeks, and they are only in this to post their weights, then I think a warning should be sent to that person to let them know that if they don't participate in the chat at least once a week, then their weight will fail to count in the weighins. They might continue to weigh in, but if they don't start posting, that weight won't count for the team, so they will basically be out of the challenge. I'm not sure how that could work, but that's all I can come up with now.

Another one chiming in to say I wish I would have been kept on the same team as last time. Call me silly, but I was "The Biggest Loser" last time and to not have been placed on my original team felt like a rejection, after I had done so well. THAT was my "reward"? Again, these are just my feelings, didn't say they were logical.

LondonJulz has been an amazing leader and my team mates have been supportive too, it's not that at all.

I just feel much like the ladies who posted above me.

I have to be honest, I am dedicated to this challenge 100%, just like I was last time and it really makes me feel like cr@p to see so many people gaining because they didn't stay on plan. Hey, I have temptations too. We (most of us) menstruate, have birthdays, vacations, parties and so on. We have to be accountable to ourselves...this is OUR life we are living, but this is also a TEAM effort and you are letting your teammates know that they aren't more important than the foods you eat that aren't on plan every time you give in to temptation.

I'm sure these things I am saying will upset some people, but if I could change it, I'd change it in the ways the people above listed, AND I'd just make people accountable. I don't have the magic answer to that. The motivation obviously must be intrinsic.

No one is perfect (I've relaxed my goals for this challenge because I want to be realistic and I've lost a lot already, so it makes sense that my weight loss will continue to slow) but barring medical conditions (including injuries) there's really no reason to have regular gains other than going off plan.

Since we're being honest here, it would be nice for people to use their "freebies" when they know they have gained. It really feels awful to lose weight and see it gobbled up in impact by others who gain and don't take a pass. It's as if my loss adds NOTHING to the team's goals.

So, there's my frustration and the things I would change.

All that being said, those are my deepest, darkest feelings and I support each person 100%!!! I would be a shoulder to cry on if someone said they ate McDonald's and See's candy all week. I WOULD offer encouragement and love, so don't judge me for my feelings too harshly...my actions are kind and supportive, people!

wow...I didn't realize people felt this way. I really don't know what to say. I almost feel weird now being a newcomer. Is there anyone out there who likes our black team???? Man, I have been busting my *** in this challenge, and now I feel like a deflated balloon. I had no idea!

Morning Chellez, Everyone....

QOTD: If you could change one thing about the TBL challenge, what would it be? Also, how do you think we should deal with no participating chat members?

This is my first challenge, so I had no expectations. I understand NoVa, Diva, and SoulBliss' point....but I'd like to borrow from an old commercial "Don't hate me because I am new...." . No, really, I get it. A support system was built during the previous challenge and support systems are very important. If it takes being on the same team as last time to be successful, by all means be on the same team as last time.
BUT (and here is where I get to play Devil's advocate)...then don't you have to wonder how big of a "challenge" the whole thing is? What would the difference be between always being on the same team with the same people and just moving a group a people you have bonded with to a new thread?

How to deal with non-posters? I don't know. I'm sure everyone who signed up had the best intentions...but life happens. Maybe posting is like public speaking for some people. There is a fear of being laughed at or worse, ignored. I am fortunate enough to have a job where I have access to this site and time to read and post. I have also reached a place where being laughed at or ignored rarely bothers me.
If you put any kind of requirements on the posting, then you are just going to have people jumping on and taking up space. I think that would be worse than not hearing from people.

Yours is an unenviable position Chellez. No matter what you do....it will be wrong.

Hay everyone.....I did post a gain this week but it wasnt even a pound, should I of used a freebe???? I am 100% invested to this challenge. I want to start off by saying that I understand that everyone made friends the last round. What about all off us that are new and are trying to make friends this round??? It is not fair to us. I do agree that that if the ones that have posted a LARGER gain should have to use a freebe. I also have to agree that you have to chat, we would like to know everyone!!!

Ok sorry I have kinda given up on the v day challenge

Novavtfan- Great job on the running!!!

Tatianhdz- We will still be here after the challenge is over! Dont give up and keep trying! One day at a time!

Bettek- 6 miles is great! That is hard work! How all has it taken you to get there?

Heather- I hop that you feel better soon!!

This is my first challenge and I love the Black Team!!

I understand why returning people would want to be on their old team though.

I'm in this for the duration. I posted a gain during TOM to save my freebie weeks for the end in case I run into TOM at the end of the challenge. I felt the final weeks weigh ins would be more important, especially considering the number of people that are flaking out of the challenge.

I think some people read the chats, but don't write in them. Those people shouldn't necessarily be punished. BUT, if they aren't posting in the chat AND miss a weigh in, they should be removed. Either participate in the challenge or get out.

People should respect their teams enough to remove themselves if they aren't into the challenge. It's not that we don't love you, but if you aren't into it maybe you shouldn't be here.

I believe my shopping philosophy fits here: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way!"

Don't mean to be too harsh, just being honest.

You count, you matter! Do NOT feel bad for being a newcomer, feel WONDERFUL that youa re still here, still working on it!!!

I like that you are busting your butt in the challenge and I am sorry you feel like a "deflated balloon". I know what that feels like!

I might have come off with the wrong idea in my earlier post about this challenge - when I am saying that I would like to be on the same team that I was on the previous challenge, it does not mean that I am not interested in meeting and chatting with the newcomers. It means that I would feel more comfortable knowing the people on my team that were with me in the previous round, and therefore, I would be more likely to chat more, and then I would spend more time reading the team posts and would get to know the newcomers in turn by reading the posts from my old teammates plus the newcomers. I totally welcome newcomers and want to get to know them, but I feel it would be easier to get to know the newcomers on the team if I was reading and posting with my old team members.

Sorry if my earlier post upset any newcomers. You are totally welcome and we all support everyone here!

I too understand the repeat challengers point of view. I get that bonds were made and that it was/is hard for you guys to feel comfortable with all of us newbies here while you aren't on your original teams. Maybe that can be changed for the next challenge. I also feel a little sad because some of you feel like it is a chore to post here. I admit, I read all the posts and don't always post a reply. It is hard to find the time and find something positive to post about all the time. Weather or not I post every time I read I am here til the end. Heck, I will even be here after the end of the challenge because this is a life change for me. I will forever be needing support so I will always be here. I love being in the challenge. I have felt a little overwhelmed at times because there are so many people in the challenge but that is my issue.

I don't know what you do about people that don't participate in the chats. My dh, Mikella, does not contribute to the chats. That doesn't mean that he isn't kicking butt with his weight loss. Every week he loses weight. Some weeks he even loses more than me. He works hard and doesn't have very much time to post. Is the challenge helping him even though he isn't posting here? YES. It is helping keep him accountable. If he were to be removed from the challenge we would understand. It is a tough thing to figure out and I don't envy anyone that has to make the rules.

On an positive note I lost 1 lb this week. Not a ton but a pound down is better than a pound up. Wishing you all good luck this week.

Maybe I worded it wrong what I was trying to say. I do apologize if I hurt anyones feelers. I have had a very BAD and stressful morning and I guess I just wasn't sensitive enough. I DO love the newbies and I think it is AWESOME that we have gotten so many.

When I say it's a "chore" to post, what I mean is it just feels weird to me posting to complete strangers. I Do want to get to know the newbies too and support them along the way. We were ALL newbies once, but that being said, I just don't see why the returnies can't be on their same teams they wanted before and get to know the newbies that are placed there. I feel alone and secluded from my friends I had here from last time. It's like being a newbie all over again.

We are ALL busting our asses, but when emotional times come, ya wanna be able to come on here and post about it to people you already know and have bonded with and if a newbie happens to be there, reading it, and feels the same way, or has some strength to share, then that's just icing on the cake. I have the upmost respect for all of you here on the Black team and I think Julz is an awesome leader. I just miss Melissa. We bonded last time and become friends outside of 3fc and since we are no longer on the same team it feels like we have grown apart and it sucks, and yanno, if I can't come here and post my feelings without having to sugarcoat things, well, I don't know what to say... I am a blunt and to the point kind of gal, love me or hate me, but that's just me.

i also didn't use my freebie this week and posted a gain of a pound, but i used one freebie last week and i want to save my other freebie for in case i can't weigh in for some reason... i too am invested in this challenge... i'm back on track and hoping to lost 4lbs this week by sticking to plan and exercising at least 2 miles a day walking and at least 45 sit ups