The Biggest (Virtual) Loser

Failure Decision

2009-06-14T07:29:00.002-04:00

Based on the feedback I received both via comment and email, I've decided that Kate and Helen should get the ante since they were the only ones who actively participated. Joan can you send what you've got to them?

BVL: Failure?

2009-06-04T06:46:00.001-04:00

So, it would seem that this BVL was a failure. Our only active participants were Helen and Kate. Suggestions on how to handle the ante?

Need your numbers

2009-04-05T09:46:00.001-04:00

Ok, losers! Get me your numbers!!

Teams Assigned

2009-03-26T07:32:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the delay!

We've got four (4) two-person teams. These were selected randomly!

Team 1: Joan & Kathi

Team 2: Joanna & Kate

Team 3: Michael & Joy

Team 4: MP & Helen

Please get your weight loss to me by the end of the day on Sunday!

Teams

2009-03-20T07:21:00.002-04:00

Today is the day!

Day 1 is weigh in day -- next week we will calculate pounds lost.

Teams will be determined this weekend by RANDOM drawing. Check back later this weekend to see who your buddy is.

Good luck!

$$$$$$$$$$

2009-03-17T17:14:00.003-04:00

Time to get your money to me folks! I have two already (not even my own) and await the rest. It would be nice to get the money before Friday's starting date, but if you can't, just do your best, or at least let me know by email. Use joan.dunseath@gmail.com.
My address is 28 Burning Bush Blvd., Ballston Lake, NY 12019. Thanks!
Joan

Extension & Teams again

2009-03-13T07:10:00.002-04:00

Per Joan's request, we are going to postpone the start date to February 20. This gives everyone time to get their ante in, and as Joan said, rid your areas of bad influences.

I'm going to suggest that we do four two person teams. Any thoughts on this?

Establishing Teams

2009-03-08T18:05:00.003-04:00

So far we've got:

Helen
Joan
Joanna
Joy
Kate
Kathi
Michael
MP

Let's keep the ante at $10. Joan will you manage again?

Should we do teams or just make this an all out competition and have it one against all?

A New Season, A New Game

2009-03-06T07:39:00.000-05:00

Who's in?

BVL #1 Results

2009-03-05T07:40:00.000-05:00

Team Awesome -Weight Change
Beth Carlyle:-9Kate Conroy: -5Michael Donlick: -5Chrissy Giulliano: -5.3Joan Dunseath:-9(DP joan.dunseath@gmail.com)FINAL: -33.3

The Bodacious Booties of Team B/ Weight Change
Kathi Leigh: -12Kristin Halligan: -4Peggy Catherine Baffoni: -4Sam Getachew: -3.3Mary Pat Donlick: -5(DP mpmdonlick@yahoo.com)FINAL: -28.3

Team Conquer!/ Weight Change
Brianna Dillon:-5Amanda Dymond:-12Amy Paradise: -6Amy Getachew:-2.4(DP amanda@dymond.us)TOTAL: -25.4

Team Devastate/ Weight Change
Helen Durish: 5.7Dave Haught: 2.4Joanna Haught: 3.2Amy Nahlik: 4Joy Houle: 3.5(DP joy.houle@gmail.com)FINAL: -18.8

And the winner is...

2008-12-08T19:11:00.002-05:00

Team Awesome!

Congrats Team! You guys all rocked. Not only did you kick ass losing weight, but all of you were committed to the project!

We ran into a glitch calculating the winner in that Team Conquer lost a teammate, making the total players per team uneven. After conversations with a few of you, we came up with the following formula to fairly determine the winning team:

Each team's total weight loss divided by the total players on the team equals average weight loss per person. The team with the highest weight loss per person won.

Team A: 33.3/ 5 = 6.66
Team B: 28.3/ 5 = 5.66
Team C: 25.4/ 4 = 6.35
Team D: 18.8/ 5 = 3.76

Team A, you can expect Joan to disburse your prize soon. Again, congrats!

Thank you all for playing!

Five Days and Counting...

2008-12-01T07:58:00.001-05:00

This is it folks! The game ends on Friday. In order to determine the winner by the end of the day on Friday (5PM) we'll need everyone to record their final weight loss with their DP by noon of that day.

Good luck!

Turkey Day Off?

2008-11-26T10:42:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Team Awesome

2008-11-10T10:22:00.004-05:00

Oh my! Team Awesome had quite a week! At least we can all still laugh about it. How on earth is Team Conquer managing to lose so much?? Please share your techniques! Whatever I am doing is certainly not working. Maybe if we do this again after the New Year, we will all be in a better place. I know I need to include exercise with my diet and I haven't done that.

Give us your feedback Team Conquer!! We need to know. Anyone out there who has managed to lose eight pounds needs to share their story.

I love my team and wouldn't trade them for anything. I will try harder this week - just for them!

Is it lack of willpower?

2008-11-08T11:32:00.002-05:00

Sadly, I gained this week. After talking to some of you, I've found that I'm not the only one. As I sit here and starve myself this morning, I'm trying to figure out where I failed.

I've subscribed to Weight Watchers Online tools for two years now. I've done an excellent job at maintaining my weight, which is about 20 pounds more than it should be. Yet I've persisted with this system because it worked for me once before (eight years ago, pre-childbearing).

The system utilizes an online Food Journal. It's so simple. I search for the food I ate, WW calculates the total points for me. It seems to me that if the system worked for me, I would have lost at least a portion of my 20 pounds by now. But for some reason, I'm having trouble.

Could it be that I tend to "forget" to log in my foods on days when I overindulge? Could it be that I have this idea in my head that if I exercise on a given day, I shouldn't have to restrict what I eat? Or is it that in my mind, I feel like my monthly subscription to the program somehow entitles me to weight loss whether I actually work at it or not?

Whatever my distorted ideas are, the bottom line is that it's not working for me.

I read a quote somewhere that went something like this: "When something isn't working, we tend to keep doing it. Only harder." (Sure wish I could find this again.)

The point is that if something isn't working for you, you should probably see if there's a different way of doing it.

I've been thinking about this in terms of our BVL. Yes, I want my team to win. But I also really, really, really want to shed those 20 pounds. So I'm thinking maybe a new system is in order. Perhaps I temporarily focus on low-carb/ high-protein? Or maybe I try doing that old Slim Fast diet? Or is it sticking to this new gyminee system Katester recommends?

Those of you out there who are successfully shedding weight, would you care to share your tricks?

One to go

2008-11-05T12:34:00.002-05:00

I have received everyone's money except one person. I will email HIM now to give HIM one more chance to pay. Thanks to all of you for trusting your hard-earned money to me. I can't wait to distribute it to the winning team!

One another note - great job again Team Awesome!! I know our first place position was short-lived, but fun while it lasted. At least we are not last again. Keep up the hard work and let's make a difference this week. We have one person on a cruise this week, so we will not hold it against her if no weight is lost. Smile:))

Poll

2008-11-05T07:44:00.001-05:00

Hey Folks:

Can everyone take a moment to vote on which day we should record our weights? Just trying to make this fair for everyone.

Team Devastate...

2008-11-04T19:29:00.000-05:00

We're getting devastated.

Team Conquer...

2008-11-03T22:18:00.002-05:00

Team Conquer...

We are doing an awesome job!!!! I have noticed that some of the weights for our team, including mine, still need some updating... please let me know if your weight needs to be updated so our team can have an accurate score! Thanks and keep up the great work!!!

Team Awesome In The Lead?!

2008-11-03T09:12:00.002-05:00

Do mine eyes deceive me or did Team Awesome take the lead over the weekend? If not, it looks like we're in a dead heat with the Bodacious Booties. Math has never been my strong suit, though, so if I'm wrong, a thousand apologies. If I'm right, though, may I just say, Awwww yeeeeeeaaah.

Regarding the question below, I'd rather not weigh in on Mondays because it seems like all the work I do during the week is completely swept away by Sunday night. One woman's opinion.

Peace out!

Should we change Rule Two?

2008-11-03T06:49:00.003-05:00

Rule #2: Weekly weigh-ins must be recorded on the same day for the benefit of all the players.

Right now, Friday is our designated "weigh in" day. However, it seems that it doesn't work for everyone, so I'm proposing that we change the day weights should be recorded by.

Would Monday work better?

Congrats to the Bodacious Booties of Team B!

2008-10-24T12:10:00.001-04:00

As a team we are down 17.5 for the two weeks! Kathi had an awesome week and lost 5 pounds! Congratulations!

Great job, Team!

Decision is Made

2008-10-23T18:54:00.002-04:00

Since only four people commented, it has been decided that we keep track of our loss accumulatively,that is: If you lost 2 pounds in Week 1, and 2 more in Week 2, then the record will show -4 for Week 2. As long as all DP's understand this and as long as each team member reports the loss for the week, the DP will add it onto what's there and record the total on our blog. Get ready to weigh in tomorrow morning!

How Do We show our Losses??

2008-10-22T13:42:00.002-04:00

This is a question that has to be asked. The first week was easy, but the second week we must agree on for consistency. Do we count the pounds lost as add-ons or as individuals? i.e. Week 1 was -2. If I lose an additional two pounds do I show it as another -2 or as a running total as -4? Personally I prefer the individual scoring for each week. Then we can tally the totals at the end.
Or the DP can show the grand total at the bottom of the list weekly. What do you all think??

Hey Bodacious Booties!

2008-10-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

I can’t wait to see Friday’s weigh-in numbers! I just need to hear from Peggy Catherine to know where we placed week one, but I am geared up for week two!

Don’t buy any Halloween candy early! Avoid the temptations!

2008-10-21T10:52:00.002-04:00

How nice to finally see everyone's scores! Of course Team Awesome has some catching up to do, but I know we can do it. ( My sitting here eating chocolate won't set us back will it?) OK - the chocolate is gone and now this week's willpower has a new surge! Hopefully it isn't too late. I do love the haunting feeling of disappointing my team, since guilt has always been a motivater for me. I think I'm back on track now. The chocolate was a momentary lapse, and not really much of one anyway. I have not bought any Halloween candy yet in fear that I will eat it. I always buy stuff I do not like, but I will succumb even to the unlikeable when crazed.
I am still in hopes of losing at least 2 pounds this week. I can do it!!
Has anyone noticed I tend to ramble when starving?

To Team C...

2008-10-20T21:00:00.003-04:00

Hi Team! Sorry I got delayed this weekend with our first posting but it will not happen again- I promise. We have got off to a great start (thanks to Sean!!!). Amy, send me your loss and I will add it-we are in second place at least.

I used a thesaurus for a team name. If ANYONE has a better suggestion- just send it on. Thanks again for not killing me for my tardiness. :) Good luck this week!!!

We are Almost There!

2008-10-18T10:02:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone who got their money into me this week. We only have three more to go, so I now am housing $170.00! I have been in touch with everyone who hasn't sent it in and made sure they have my home address. If there is still a problem, just send me an email at joan.dunseath@gmail.com.

Team Awesome - great job so far! I'm proud of your efforts!

Team Devastate is Rocking!

2008-10-17T14:28:00.001-04:00

Good job Team D!! We've lost a collective 12.4 pounds!! This is a good start, let's make sure we keep up the momentum!

Calling All Team B Losers!!!

2008-10-17T07:47:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday Losers!

Please use the “comments” feature below and let me know how much you have lost. I don’t need your actual weight, just how much you are down (or up).

Or you can email me your results at mpmdonlick@yahoo.com.

I certainly hope you have been more successful than I have this week!

Eight to Go

2008-10-16T22:25:00.000-04:00

$120 so far.

Nine to Go

2008-10-14T20:22:00.003-04:00

$110 has now been received and is happily sitting in my safe. Only 9 more people need to send me their money. I understand 4 more will pay me on Friday and I know or as least have been told there are 2 more on their way. We are getting there. I sure hope with the weekend and all, you have been able to focus on losing weight. I tried but really lost ground on Monday.

Money is Dribbling In

2008-10-12T16:10:00.003-04:00

Hi - So far I have received $50.00, so there are still 15 people left to pay. The holiday weekend has delayed some checks I'm sure. I know that Georgia is on its way and possibly NJ also. Remember to email me if you can't find my home address! Let's try to get all money in by Oct. 21. I will email you each when I receive your checks, unless you are local and actually hand me the money.
We are into Day 3 and I bet everyone has lost tons over this weekend!

Random Thought of the Day

2008-10-12T15:12:00.000-04:00

Dieting on the weekend sucks.

The AWESOME Team

2008-10-10T18:09:00.003-04:00

Now that I know Michael is really into this, perhaps at MP's expense, let's get a killer name for the "First Team". Let's see - ass-kickin', awesome, action "figures", ... What else group??

Hey, did everyone record their starting weight this morning??

Team B needs a BODACIOUS name because we are BADA**!

2008-10-10T11:14:00.002-04:00

Team B needs a BODACIOUS name because we are BADASS! Suggestions? Ideas? Likes? Dislikes???

Team Bombshell
The Bountiful Booties of Team B
Team BADASS

Give me your suggestions!

Go Team B!!!

Let the games begin!

2008-10-10T07:20:00.005-04:00

Today is the day we record our starting weight! I've put together a very simple spreadsheet for those of you who need an easy way to record weights. Click here.

Thanks to those of you who volunteered to serve as DPs for your team. Since Amy was kind enough to volunteer me as DP for Team C, and since I am no longer on Team C, I pass the torch right back to Amy!

DPs are:
Team A: Joan Dunseath
Team B: Mary Pat Donlick
Team C: Amy Getachew
Team D: Joy Houle

I know there've been some issues with Blogger, and again, I apologize. Hopefully we'll all have access by next Friday, which is the day we record our first loss.

Happy Dieting!

Team A

2008-10-10T07:20:00.004-04:00

I just wanted everyone to know that Team A rocks!!! I will sabotage MP's coffee every morning by switching to REAL sugar and cream! Not really she would kill me! I think this is an awesome idea I wish everyone success and good luck.

The Final Team Change

2008-10-09T18:11:00.001-04:00

Now that there's TWENTY players, we reconfigured the teams. To your right is the final version.

The Time to Pay is Here

2008-10-09T10:31:00.003-04:00

Joy sent out via e-mail my home address for you to mail your checks to, but if anyone missed it, please e-mail me at joan.dunseath@gmail.com. You can send me a check made out to my name and I will cash it and keep the cash in my safe. (yes, I have a safe.) At the end of the competition I will write checks or give cash, depending on where you live and what your team has decided. My safe does not give interest, so don't even ask.

Weight Loss Goal Setting

2008-10-09T07:38:00.003-04:00

Joan is right. Having a weight loss goal when we start this game is absolutely essential!

For the less experienced dieters out there, a wealth of information on healthy weight ranges can be found online. I'm a Weight Watchers girl myself, so I pretty much consider their guildelines my own Diet Bible.

Since this is an 8-week game, our personal goals should be what we expect to achieve in the 8-week period. This may not be your overall goal.

My goal, for example, will be a modest 10 pounds. I know, from extensive experience, that I do not drop weight quickly. And, since I don't want to set myself up for failure, I'll shoot for losing one pound per week plus a little bit extra here and there.

If you'd like to share with the group what your overall goal is, please click on "Comment."

Teams Finalized

2008-10-08T20:11:00.002-04:00

We've now got 18 players! Teams are even; Michael is off the hook!

Team players were shuffled a little bit, so please note that there may be a few changes from the first configuration. You'll find your name listed under one of the three teams on the right.

Some of you know that we've had some problems with blogger. Looks like signing in as an "author" with a non-gmail address means trouble. Sorry about this!

We've got a few more details to iron out, then we'll be ready to go!

Weight Loss Help

2008-10-08T10:25:00.006-04:00

As requested by Joy, here are the two helpful sites I sent out yesterday.

First, this is a competition, but we want each other to be/stay healthy. So, if you're wondering what your Body Mass Index might be, click here.

Second, for those of you who feel like you have a long way to go, here's a site that I happened upon by accident and love. It offers a few simple rules that, if followed, should illicit immediate results.

I'll also post these on the side so that if we start blogging in earnest they won't be lost.

Good luck to us all!

Team Suggestion

2008-10-08T07:39:00.003-04:00

Ok, I tried to throw together some teams. In an attempt to keep teams fair, I based my decisions on gender and location. You will see that one team (Team A) has less players. Michael is charged with making up for this loss. If we end up getting another player, they will be put on Team A.

If anyone would like to see changes, please let me know.

Team A:
Michael Donlick (NY)
Kate Conroy (NJ)
Amy Nahlick (GA)
Chrissy Giuliano (FL)
Brianna Dillon (NY)

Team B:
Sam Getachew (GA)
Peggy Catherine Baffoni (NJ)
Mary Pat Donlick (NY)
Kathi Leigh (NY)
Kristin Halligan (NY)
Joanna Haught (NV)

Team C:
Helen Durish (NJ)
Amy Getachew (GA)
Amanda Dymond (NY)
Amy Paradise (NY)
Joan Dunseath (NY)
Joy Houle (NY)

About the Game

2008-10-06T06:55:00.000-04:00

The Objective:
Our version of the Biggest Loser will be based on TOTAL POUNDS LOST per team. It will not matter what your weight is when we finish. What does matter is how much your team has lost in the 8-week period. Why do it this way? Because it's easiest.

The Details:
Teams will consist of equal numbers of people and depend on how many players are confirmed. Team playing will increase accountability and create more competition, thus increasing chances of winning (and losing).

There is more to lose than just weight: you could also lose money! As incentive (and a sign of commitment) each player will pay a $10 joiner fee. (Joan will manage this fund because she is the least likely to spend our money.) The winning team will get the pot and can divvy it up in any way they see fit. So, in addition to losing weight, the winner(s) will also get some cold, hard cash. Obviously, the more players, the bigger the pot. So, invite anyone you think might be interested. No restrictions!

This is a virtual competition. All players will have access to an online site where individual and team weight gains & losses will be recorded. The weight loss/ gain will be public knowledge amongst players. (Don't worry! No need to publish your actual weight: just how much you lost or gained in that particular week). This also increases accountability and will make it easier to track the winning team.

This 8-week competition will start date on October 10 and end on December 5. Yes, it sucks that our game runs right through Halloween and Thanksgiving. Tough.