Weight-Loss New WLF Team Challenge

[Don Keykong]

I really don't see what everyone is complaining about. I'm grossly out of shape and did 50 jumping jacks as one of the different exercises/day mini-challenge. Jumping jacks are way, way more easy to do than situps...

I want to say that it ought to be remembered that not everyone in these challenges is starting with the same cards in their deck. Unless I am mistaken, I am amongst the oldest (I'm 51) AND the most grossly overweight person not only in this challenge, but also in the forums regularly. Literally 4 months ago I weighed 457 pounds.... and no, I'm not 7 feet tall. That's a BMI in excess of 58, a few points higher than "obese" which starts at a BMI of 30. Despite having lost over 80 pounds since then, I STILL have a BMI over 48.

In addition, I have significant health issues I try to work around: I have no meniscus ("cushion") in my left knee. I have a surgically repaired ACL and MCL in my right knee. I had surgery on my lower back fusing vertebrae. Despite these issues, I've managed to find a way to get both cardio and strength workouts in to help me along this path of losing weight... NONE involve any jumping, bouncing or running. That's for a reason; I don't want to further injure myself while trying to lose weight. So you understand the extent of my weaknesses, three months ago I couldn't get off the floor without using my arms to support myself. I couldn't squat down and tie my shoe if it came untied while walking around in public.

That's enough of that.

Omega, when this started I asked whether I was a good "fit" for a challenge like this and you thought I was. I'm not so sure anymore. I am on a journey to get healthy. This website and the great folks I've met here are a part of that journey. I have a plan and a methodology that appear to be working for me, and I have no desire to start changing things around for this game.

 

[Omega]

I want to say that it ought to be remembered that not everyone in these challenges is starting with the same cards in their deck. Unless I am mistaken, I am amongst the oldest (I'm 51) AND the most grossly overweight person not only in this challenge, but also in the forums regularly. Literally 4 months ago I weighed 457 pounds.... and no, I'm not 7 feet tall. That's a BMI in excess of 58, a few points higher than "obese" which starts at a BMI of 30. Despite having lost over 80 pounds since then, I STILL have a BMI over 48.

Despite these issues, I've managed to find a way to get both cardio and strength workouts in to help me along this path of losing weight... NONE involve any jumping, bouncing or running. That's for a reason; I don't want to further injure myself while trying to lose weight.

I think that the notion of an alternative exercise being ok still stands. While I can fully understand that anyone really heavy would have difficulties with full jumping jacks. We should each be able to pick an alternative exercise that we can do to challenge ourselves and build up in the way that Christine has requested.

Some people with arm issues could do half jacks for instance. In those you only move your arms up to level with your shoulders...

We each know our own bodies best and should be able to come up with something that is cardio and challenging.

People with severe leg issues - or that are still cuddly may want to do stepped jumping jacks... My husband has severe leg joint issues (having had gout since he was in his 20s) and is still morbidly obese (coming down from BMI = 62) does something like those at zumba...



I think that a left and a right make up a low impact equivalent.

"Low impact" versions of exercises are ones that basically cut out the jumping and hopping so will probably be ideal for you.

I also believe that there is nothing in the rules that say that we have to do them all at once - so we can do them in groups if that is easier - as long as we get the total done for the day...

Rest assured that I did mine the other day in groups of 20 and each group made me noticeably out of breath and needing a break... I do however think that it is important to challenge ourselves... I do zumba every couple of days but it isnt a walk in the park - I need water every couple of minutes - and I sweat so much that my hair is literally wet like I have been out in the rain... In all honesty - I would not know that I could do jumping jacks if I didnt do them in zumba...

I hate to mention it - but I am older than you are... I am 53... I have my fair share of health problems too - including ridiculously big boobs and dodgy and painful shoulders from trying to support the big boobs... I am awaiting breast reduction surgery and my current bra size is UK size 32JJ which is 32N in USA... Jumping jacks are not an easy (or dignified) option for me - but I can do them...

 

[Omega]

Omega, when this started I asked whether I was a good "fit" for a challenge like this and you thought I was. I'm not so sure anymore. I am on a journey to get healthy. This website and the great folks I've met here are a part of that journey. I have a plan and a methodology that appear to be working for me, and I have no desire to start changing things around for this game.

As far as methodology goes - I think that we all have scored very respectable points while dropping the occasional point that is diametrically opposed to our belief of the best way forward for us. I had a similar situation when I was told to not have the fruit juice as part of my breakfast, lunch and supper that was part of the tin of fruit that I had opened. I dropped points on that and really didnt mind doing so... I only posted so often about it because people were asking me what I could be drinking that I couldnt do without for 1 week. It seemed unfair that other people were allowed to have a meal of soup, a milkshake as a meal or indeed a meal of fruit juice simply because it was a meal. I was told that my meals did not qualify for that exception. I still believe that this was unfair.

I may drop points next week when it comes to not weighing...

I really havent made up my mind yet...

I do not have the option to hide my scales away as Transparent mentioned was her plan... My husband and I weigh ourselves every day as we get dressed... I am certainly not going to suggest that he stops being mindful about his weight... I spent too many years hoping that he would start being mindful of it.

It will be tricky... To be fair - a lot of experts say that we should not weigh ourselves all the time - so there is more merit in setting that as a task than some of the things that we might be asked to do...

The bottom line is that the structure of the challenge allows whoever has lost most in the previous week to have the honour of setting a new task... They get to choose - and we get the choice of whether we want to earn those points or not.

If we all shoot for the challenge points that do not conflict with the bottom line of what we think is right for us - we should all have very respectable points... The chances are that we will each hit a points stumbling block and drop a few points over a three month period... Even dropping the odd point - the game could be anyone's...

 

[San2]

Right, there seems to be a slight confusion about the mini-challenge and what is going to count how.

I have looked at everything that has been said, and taken everybody's opinion into account. With that in mind, THESE are the rules for the challenge next week. I know they are not exactly what you had in mind, Christine, but I want this to be a fair and doable challenge for everybody, which actually has a positive impact on people, and doesn't affect them negatively.

1) Jumping Jacks - as previously stated, they can be altered any which way necessary to be doable for everybody. Starting amount is 10, and every consecutive day there needs to be at least one more.

Reason for the change: We have people of all ages, weights and physical conditions in this challenge. A 'jumping' jack is a very high impact exercise, and for me personally, an absolute no-go for example. I am not going to do anything that I know will hurt me, and most likely impact my ability to do any more exercise this week, and I will not expect others to do so either.

2) Weighing points - number of points for not weighing in the week is reduced to 2 per WEEK, not per day.

Reason for the change - there is no benefit in weighing only once per week, and people are on different plans, and have different ways of doing this. For some, not weighing themselves for a full week will mean to change a working concept, with nothing to be gained from it whatsoever. This is not what this challenge is for. It's supposed to be helping, and motivating, not make people frustrated by forcing them to make changes that are actual detrimental to their weight loss.

3) Microwave stuff - to be honest, I'm lost on this one. I'll leave it as it is, and add Christine's additional explanation:
>I should have been clearer on the microwaveable stuff..I know people cook their potatoes in the mic. That's fine. Canned vegetable soup is fine as well, I know some people are on weight watchers which is fine too. But canned pastas like chef boyardee is not ...lol or pizza pockets...which I love by the way. Anything frozen except beef chicken, pork is not allowed...I hope this sums it up.<

This is the final ruling on next week's mini-challenge. I don't usually put my foot down like this and just overrule somebody else, but I do not want this to turn into an argument, and I am not willing to lose members of the challenge on the grounds of feeling that they are asked to change their habits for the worse, or do something that's painful, detrimental to their health, or simply impossible for them to do.

 

[Omega]

A jumping jack does not have to be a high impact exercise at all.

There are low impact equivalents.
I gave a link with a description.
I believe that everyone in the challenge is fit enough to do that exercise.

 

[Omega]

I actually think that changing the ruling so entirely is unfair to Christine.

This is not the first that has caused issues - but it is the first to be dramatically over-ruled.

Maybe San should set all the mini challenges.

 

[MandyH]

I know I haven't been online very much lately so my input may not be very valuable, but I personally also think that the mini challenge rules should be as Christine posted. This is a challenge afterall so it's meant to be challenging. It seems by making these rule changes we're trying to make things easier which to me defeats the purpose of a "challenge".

With that said, I probably would not have gotten many of the challenge points for this one. That would've been my choice. The not weighing myself daily thing, it's something I need to do for my own piece of mind. I've started a spreadsheet to keep track of my weight to learn more about which foods work for me and which ones don't. I also want to keep track of what my TOM does to my weight loss so I can account for fluctuations. So, I would've opted out of that part, but that's my choice.

As for jumping jacks, I have rheumatoid arthritis which affected my right knee and left ankle. I can do Taebo because I've found that it's not that high of an impact exercise for those joints. The same is true for walking. However, I do not do any of the moves that require jumping. Jumping jacks would've been one of those moves that I skipped. I'm not willing to risk damaging my already compromised joints for challenge points. I do realize that there are modifications that you can make so I probably would've at least tried that to see if it was manageable.

Microwaving foods, not a problem. I would get those points without an issue.

So, I'm not trying to start anything here. I just think that the person who lost the most weight and earned the chance to come up with the next mini challenge should be given that chance. I don't think it's fair to take it away from them. It's up to us, as the people who accepted this challenge, whether or not we want to do it for the points. If you want the points, do it. If it's not worth it to you, then don't. Not getting the points isn't the end of the world. I know this is supposed to be to help us lose weight and get healthy, but shouldn't it be for fun too? I think some people are just taking things to seriously really.

 

[BelindaR]

This is so ridiculous. If challenges aren't going to be picked by the winner and/or so heavily modified that it makes it to be NOT a challenge at all, then what's the point of doing this? Getting to pick the challenge is a reward for doing a good job, but when you're modding it that much, it removes the idea of winning.

Jumping jacks are NOT a high-impact activity. Omega even posted a link to alternative jumping jacks for people who find regular ones too painful to do.

Earning two points for a week and not per day will not encourage people to do the challenge in the first place.

EDIT: And if people determine a challenge to be too difficult or they simply do not want to participate, that is solely that person's choice. It should not affect the purpose of this challenge.

 

[christine1970]

WOW!!I dont even know where to begin
The idea of a challenge is to be challenged..If someone doesnt want to do it thats fine.lose the points..I have lost points because of the no sugar mini challenge.I still slept fine.If people cant accept the mini challenges that people have set,Then maybe we should just stick to the regular routine..I dont have time to sit at the computer and make up a challenge only to see how aggravated people get.This is suppose to be fun and challenging.this site is about support or so I thought,not making a person feel like shit over a stupid challenge.

I know we are not playing on the same deck of cards..I have osteo-arithritis from my neck to my toes..It takes me half hour to get out of bed in the morning and to be able to move properly.I have to push myself every day to get the exercise challenges done..I am 42 years old so I am not young either.I was 0riginally 235 lbs with a 5foot 3 inch frame..So I was a big girl too.have worked very hard to get where I am.
DON..As I stated.I was a big girl..you can do another version if not then just dont do it..I dont want anyone to hurt themselves..Thats that what I want.Losing weight is challenging enough and we have to do what works for us..YOU HAVE DONE AMAZING .

EVERY CHALLENGE that has been set.there has been contraversy so why even do it?I think we all have enough bullshit in our life we dont need to add to it.Thats my opinion.

FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS SUPPORTED ME ..THANK-YOU

P.S.Not weighing in everyday should count as 2 points per day..It is hard not to get on the scale everyday..REALLY HARD..OH MY GOD I THINK THATS A CHALLENGE!!!!!

 

[MandyH]

Jumping jacks are NOT a high-impact activity.

I disagree with this statement 100%. For some people it IS a VERY high impact exercise. Speaking for myself personally, if you do not live with the pain of RA then you have no way to know how high impact it is. This is one of those situations where if you don't live with it, you have no idea how hard it is.

 

[BelindaR]

I disagree with this statement 100%. For some people it IS a VERY high impact exercise. Speaking for myself personally, if you do not live with the pain of RA then you have no way to know how high impact it is. This is one of those situations where if you don't live with it, you have no idea how hard it is.

Omega posted a link to modded jumping jacks for people who have leg/joint issues.

The point is, they can still be done. Even Christine, who picked the challenge, says she has joint problems as well. I'm sure she wouldn't have picked it if she knew it was too painful.

 

[MandyH]

Omega posted a link to modded jumping jacks for people who have leg/joint issues.

The point is, they can still be done. Even Christine, who picked the challenge, says she has joint problems as well. I'm sure she wouldn't have picked it if she knew it was too painful.

I understand that. I said in my post that I'd be open to trying the modified jumping jack to see if it was manageable. I have no problem with that.

I'm not trying to agrue over this. I just think it's important to remember that as with everything else no two people are the same. Just because one person who has joint problems can do something doesn't mean everyone else can do the same things. Arthritis effects everyone differently. I have no idea how bad Christine's joints are. I just know mine are bad and I'm not willing to add additional stress on them just to claim points for a challenge. That's not to say I agree with Christine's challenge being changed so drastically. She earned the right to come up with her mini challenge. If I can't do what she picks, oh well for me. Guess I lose the points. No big deal.

 

[Omega]

Mandy - is this manageable for you? - please note that there is no jumping or hopping in it.

This is what was in the link.

Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Step 2: Raise your right arm above your head and tap your left toe to the side at the same time. Keep your right foot on the floor.

Step 3: Repeat for 1-3 minutes, alternating sides.

Obviously instead of timing it in minutes you can count how many times you do it.

 

[christine1970]

Thanks mandy..

 

[Omega]

I assume that we are looking at a change in the challenge rules on page 1:

The mini-challenges will be set by the person who lost the most weight (in %) the week before. Mini challenges can be almost anything – certain exercises, eating certain foods, writing a food log, counting calories, whatever you can think of, as long as it is related to weight loss. The amount of points can be decided by the person who sets the mini challenge for that week.
Mini challenges can be almost anything – certain exercises, eating certain foods, writing a food log, counting calories, whatever you can think of, as long as it is related to weight loss. The amount of points can be decided by the person who sets the mini challenge for that week.

It would appear that they cannot be almost anything and the person does not necessarily determine the number of points.

 

[Don Keykong]

Waaay too many emotions and excitement and drama for me. Sorry to have started any of this, San and Omega. Listening to a bunch of strangers telling me what I can and can't do is of no value to my effort to get healthier. Also, I don't want anyone classifying me as one who has been a chronic complainer. I didn't say a WORD about previous challenges even when I thought they were odd or of little value. This is the first problem I've voiced.

For the record I was responding more to some attitudes than the challenge itself. There seems to be this thought that "if I can do it, then everyone should be able to!" and that the only reason someone isn't willing to do it is because they choose not to. That is complete, utter bullshit.

Please pull me from this challenge. Then everyone can go back to doing it however you want. This is NOT why i joined the challenge.

 

[San2]

Right.

I'm not even going to start to answer individual posts.

Since everybody seems so keen on it, the mini challenge stands as it was originally posted by Christine. Disregard anything that I put up. That includes alternate exercises.

Starting the week after next, the mini challenge will be ONE thing, not two or three. Please take that into account if you happen to be the next person to come up with a challenge.

Also, we will have to look at the situation with the teams, since we've lost a considerable amount of people now. I still haven't heard from Brad, so I don't know what's happening there.

 

[San2]

I assume that we are looking at a change in the challenge rules on page 1:



It would appear that they cannot be almost anything and the person does not necessarily determine the number of points.

There will be no change in the rules. I will have no further input on the mini challenges, they will be solely decided by the person who lost the most in the week before. That includes sorting out any alternatives to exercises or any other questions that might arise. The only ruling is that there will be ONE challenge, not two or three.

 

[Omega]

Can Christine please give a ruling on the acceptability of variations of jumping jacks for people that have difficulty in doing full jumping jacks.
I am particularly interested in whether half jacks (where the arms are not raised above shoulder level) are ok for anyone with arm difficulties and whether stepped jacks (which is a low impact version which involves no jumping or hopping) are ok for anyone cuddly or who has leg difficulties.

stepped jacks
--------------
Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Step 2: Raise your right arm above your head and tap your left toe to the side at the same time. Keep your right foot on the floor.

Step 3: Bring arm and leg back to start position.

Step 4: Raise your left arm above your head and tap your right toe to the side at the same time. Keep your left foot on the floor..

Step 5: Bring arm and leg back to start position.

Repeat steps 2 to 5


If anyone cannot manage either of these - I suggest that people ask for a ruling on what they can do.

 

[christine1970]

People can use alternative exercises like the step jacks.. I realize that people have health issues and so do I.just post the alternative exercise that you are doing..If the mini challenge was yoga,I would have to lose the points because my body wouldnt allow me to do it..I know cause I tried.This is suppose to be fun..
We are also suppose to be supporting each other..I am new to this forum but not new to losing weight..we all have valuable advice to give.It might work for you and it might not..but the main thing is we are give many options on our weight loss journey.and that is the bottom line.
EVERYONE has their own way of getting to their goal weight..My intention is not to screw with that.
I apologize to anyone that I have offended..it was not intentional.I thought the mini challenges were fair.They are challenges to me as well.
I dont know what else to say except we are here to lose weight and lets get on with it!!!!