Challenges Information Thread

[Dottie]

Interested in joining a challenge but not sure which one?
Here's a listing of the current challenges with a run-down about each one.

[color=red]No questions please! Post your questions to the individual challenge thread you're curious about.[/color]
Thank you

[JazzyV]

The Slimmer Through December Challenge is a 3 month long challenge (Oct 1- Dec 31), that evolves throughout the year. Over time, we do Slimmer By Spring, Summer, Fall, and through December challenges.

We each pick our individual goal(s), whether it be a weight loss goal, a committment to exercise or drink water, a clothing size goal, or simply to stay on plan with eating. We support each other; giving praise for success, comfort and encouragement through difficult times, education and tips about low carbing, and a gentle kick in the rear when needed if someone has gone astray. This is all done while recognizing we all have our individual trials in this weight loss struggle.

Some in this challenge are near the beginning of their weight loss, others at maintenance, most somewhere in the middle. We also like to get to know each other, and talk about our families, hobbies, and interests, as well as about lowcarbing. We'd be pleased to have anyone join us!

[LeahIA]

The Christian Challenge is open to all who want to be held accountable for...

First & foremost - Scripture reading, Bible study/devotions.

Then in no specific order - Way of eating; water intake; vitamins and exercise.

Open to all who love the Lord or are seeking Him.

Questions? Just e-mail or PM me!

[Glinda]

Aquacisers is a daily and weekend thread for water drinking, exercise, and personal daily goal support. Note that it’s water DRINKING, not water aerobics. We encourage any kind of exercise and support any kind of low carb program you choose. We support each other in personal daily goals such as avoiding excess salt, not obsessing over scale numbers, avoiding too many legal treats, and any area in which we are having trouble.

We also share tips, recipes, a bit of our personal lives and have a lot of fun. We do have one firm rule: no bashing, flaming, or negative criticism of others or their low carb programs. New members are always welcome. Our website address is: http://www.geocities.com/aquacisers/index.html

[tigger01201]

A great group of mommies. We offer support not only for LC but all of those fun mommy topics. From realtionships, to silly kid stuff. We pick our own goals and support everyone when they need it. So if you have kids and need support, this is the place to be! Welcome to all future Mommies R Us!

[tigger01201]

Our challenge is to work out 6 times a week. Wether that be at the gym or something as simple as paring a long way from a store so you have to walk. Pick what's right for you and be ready for someone to crack the whip if you're slacking. Everyone is very supportive and everyone has a different form of excersise. If you're looking for a new idea, come give us a visit!

[Jaymye]

The Wedding Party/Newlywed Challenge, formerly known as the Brides to Be Challenge, is a thread for anyone who is getting married, going to be in a wedding, or just got married.

We provide support on sticking to your weightloss goals before that final dress fitting, and moral support for that big day. Newlyweds are welcome to join and share their tips and ideas on how they made it through that special day!

[JRo]

This is a little support group for us college/grad/law/professional students out there - finding solutions for those problems like dorm food, keeping long/weird hours, limited transportation, etc.

We're still just getting off the ground - come join us and discuss your student woes and your low carb WOE :-)

LC My Way is a back-to-basics form of Atkins. We encourage everyone to modify as needed to get the results they want!

Generally, this is what many LCMWers plan for:

• Carbs: <20 (some subtract fiber, some don't)
  
• Protein: 80-100 grams
  
• Fat: Just enough to cook with (dressing, butter, olive oil), but not slathering it on food
  
• Fake Foods: avoid as much as possible (shakes, candy, bars)

Exercise is very important for weight loss and many LCMWers are exercise maniacs!

There is no minimum calorie level, but as you watch the fat you're using, the calories naturally drop!

That's our program is a nutshell -- short, sweet and results guaranteed!

Click here to go to our Webpage!

[flowerpower]

Let's Lose 5

We began 2 years ago as several LCF members considering losing 5 pounds at a time.

We look at a 5 pound loss as our "goal". Some of us are at goal or have 10, 50, or 100 to lose, but we consider the loss at 5 pounds at a time. The numbers don't seem quite so overwhelming this way.

Since we've been together for so long, we have become more of a tight knit coffee klatch instead. We still encourage eachother with our weight loss, but it hasn't been our main focus in a long, long time.

[flowerpower]

This challenge group's membership changes daily! Everyone is welcome! The group started over a year ago and continues with new folks.

Our goal is to cut back on our alcohol consumption to lose weight.

This group is non-judgemental. We do not deal with alcohol problems or alcoholism at all in general.

We are only concerned with the additional calories that we need to burn from alcohol consumption.

Hard liquor has 0 carbs, light beer and dry wine have very few carbs, but they all have a lot of useless calories. Our bodies burn the calories from alcohol before fat for energy, even while in ketosis.

[Marista]

[COLOR=blue]Please join us at the[/color]
[color=red]Sayonara CARBOnara![/color] [color=blue]Challenge Board[/color]
We are a group originally created by and for a bunch of newbies on induction who were just looking for a "niche" to fit into. We all loved the boards (and still do), but as newbies it was hard to find a good jumping-in point to any discussion. Sometimes it's hard being the new person in established groups!

Our goal as a group is to offer continued support not only to our current members, but to make it the easiest and most friendly challenge group for newbies to become a part of. We are also always seeking those who are not newbies, but who are looking for great motivational support.

Here's some of the things we have to offer:

• 50+ members of newbies and oldbies... a great combination of people with questions and people with answers! No matter what stage of this eating program you are on, there is almost guaranteed to be someone who is going through exactly what you are!
• We start a new thread for each day. You will always find the main post first with information about our group, any current updates, and miscellaneous information you may need to know. No more guessing about what a challenge group is all about and no more feeling like you're "stepping in" on a personal thread.
• All new inductees get recognized for an entire week at the top of our main post. This helps our current members recognize new names and offer hellos. This is also a way to say a big Thank You to those who want to be a part of our group.
• We have a group website for quick and easy access to frequently used information as well as some intro's to members and loads of other fun and interesting stuff.
• We have our own signature logo that you can add to your siggy. If you have a picture, we can also combine your photo with a logo for your own personalized image!
• Share your LC enthusiasm by visiting our online gift shop for items featuring "Got Low Carb?" and the Sayonara CARBOnara logo. 90% of proceeds are donated to the ASPCA and the American Diabetes Association.
• Our weekly challenges are more personal than group-related. Each person states their own goals for the week (whether it be to drink more water, exercise more, or get their carbs lower, etc) and we all try to support each other in our unique endevours.
• Besides your own personal goals, we also have a super motivational military ranking system. The closer you get to your goal weight, the higher you will move up through our military ranks as you continue to win THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE!! Each time you move up a rank, you get an insignia with your rank title as a siggy image (check out some of our members postings to see an example!)

If you'd like to join our group, find our daily thread which begins "=== Sayonara CARBOnara! ===" and make a post. Simply put "SIGN ME UP!" at the top of your post as well as your status (EX: 178/142/125). We'll handle the rest from there... all you have to do is jump in and say hello!

[teya]

Welcome!
We are a group of ladies who are working towards a healthy weight before trying to conceive (TTC). The goal is for a healthy baby, an easier pregnancy and birth and ultimately a healthy momma.
Our TTC dates range from currently to over a year away, and some of us will TTC at a certain goal weight.
We discuss general weight loss and exercise, and the fun stuff (and less fun stuff) about pre-conception, conception and pregnancy.
If you would like to join us, just come on by to the Serious About Conception Challenge!
If you would like to add the banner, you can link to it directly at http://home.attbi.com/~teyahahn/challenge.jpg - place this link between image tags.
Hope to see you there.

[snowrose]

Hello! The 80% Modified Fat Fasters challenge is for those who have been unable to lose while correctly following a low carb way of eating (WOE). Because of low metabolic rates many members are unable to attain ketosis unless their level of fat consumption is above 75%.

The group follows the Atkins Fat Fast and Modified Fat Fast regimens as outlined in DANDR. http://atkinscenter.com/Archive/2001/12/21-237659.html

We have been able to expand the menus from those originally mentioned in the book since we're lucky enough to have several members who are excellent at preparing recipes that are high in fat.

If you're following low carb correctly and have been stalled a long time even though you don't cheat or overeat, come check us out! It could be that Fat Fast is what you need!

Here's a list of lc Fat Fast and Modified Fat Fast meals:

Fat Fast Meal ideas
* One ounce macadamia nuts or macadamia nut butter
* Two ounces cream cheese or Brie
* One ounce of tuna or chicken salad with 2 t mayo served in one quarter of an avocado
* Two devilled eggs made with 2 t mayonnaise
* Two ounces sour cream and 2 T black or red caviar
* Two and a half ounces whipped heavy cream topped with sucralose syrup
* Two ounces of pate
* Two egg yolks (hard boiled) with 1 T of mayonnaise
* low carb (5-10 grams) yogurt w/added cream to bring up fats
* 1/4 c cream in 8 oz diet soda
* 1/4 c cream with diet jello
* 1/4 c cream whipped, add LC syrup or Splenda for flavoring
* 1/3 c Almond Accents
* 1 T sf peanut butter mixed with 1 oz cream cheese, Splenda or DaVinci to taste
* 10 pecans w/ 2 T heavy cream
* 1 oz cream cheese mixed with 2 T coconut
* modified flax cereal: 2 T ground flax, 1 T designer whey protein powder, 1/4 t salt. Mix well and add 1/2 c water. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until no longer soupy. Add 1 pat butter and 1 T cream
* 1/3rd of an avocado with 1 T caesar salad dressing
* Low Carb Johnnycake with butter
* Low Carb bread pudding
* Sherrielee's Low Carb pancakes, made with nut flour
* Cheesecake muffin with some pecans
* Dagwood Roll-up: 1 slice bologna, spread with half T of sf peanut butter. 1 thin slice tomato, spread with half a T mayonnaise. Put tomato on top of bologna and roll it up.
* 0.5 oz feta cheese crumbled, 1/4 avocado diced, and 1 T olive oil, mixed as a salad 227 calories, 92% fat, 2 carbs ECC
* 1/4 c Gram's Gourmet Flax 'N Nut Crunchies
*Peanut Butter Shake: 2T half&half, 2T Vanilla DaVinci, 1/2t Vanilla extract, 3 ice cubes, 2T sf peanut butter. Place into blender in that order and Mix/Frappe.

Modified Fat Fast Meal ideas
* 2 cheesecake muffins 296 cal 86%
* 1/2 c Almond Accents 320 cal, 84%
* 1/3 c cream with 4 strawberries and 1 T slivered almonds 332 cal, 90%
* Whole avodcado with 1 T caesar salad dressing - 347 cal, 90% fat
* Whole avocado mashed with 1/3 can tuna - 370 cal, 80% fat
* Same as above, substituting moderate portion of chicken or beef
* Add two eggs to a melted 1.5 tablespoons of butter and scramble. 302 cal, 82% fat
* 2 scrambled eggs, add 1.5 ounces cream cheese when almost done 297, 76%
* 15 pecan halves, 3 tablespoons of cream 301 cal, 93%
* LC cheesecake with no crust (the perfect breakfast!)
* 1 boned chicken thigh. Stuff with 1 oz cream cheese and 1-1/4" slice
onion that's been grilled in 1 T butter 309 cal, 77% fat
* 1 chicken thigh or other protein. Saute spinach to remove moisture, then add 2 tablespoons butter.
* 2 oz cream cheese/10 halves chopped pecans. Make nut balls. 297 cal, 90%
* Caesar salad with chicken or salmon.
* 3 oz cream cheese/1/2 c chopped artichoke heart blend. 339 cal, 80%
* 1/2 c ground beef, 1/2 avocado mashed, and a little sour cream
* Egg salad - 2 lg boiled eggs with 1.5 T mayo 297 cal, 80%
* Custards
* Puddings made with whipping cream and/or sour cream
* Panna Cotta
* Pizza salad - sausage, mozzarella cheese, and lots of veggies
* 1/4 c Gram's Gourmet Flax 'N Nut Crunchies with 2 T cream
* Hillshire Farms Cheddarwurst, one link. 280 cal, 81%

Snack ideas for Modified Fat Fast
* Heaping spoonful of whipped cream (sweetened SF, of course)
* 5 pecan halves
* Macadamia nuts
* SF chocolate if it agrees with you and doesn't stall you.
* Melt a SF chocolate bar. Slowly stir in a little cream. Eat it that way, or fold in some whipped cream to make a mousse.
* Coffee with 1/4 cup cream.
* 11 almonds
* Small chunk of cheese
* Spoonful or two of whipping cream
* Peanut butter
* Chocolate mousse
* Latte with sugar-free amaretto flavoring
* 1/4 cup heavy cream in your favorite sugar-free soda

[Human Yo Yo]

We are a support group focusing on mini-goals based on dates on the calendar. We each create our own goals and "challenges" and set our own mini goals for the next holiday.
We are comprised of everyone from just starting on Induction to OWL and some who are VERY close to Pre-Maintenance. We offer support and advice during every facet of this journey and welcome newcomers!

[Kellyann]

A$$KICKERS CHALLENGE!
[COLOR=indigo]
Our group is a place for lowcarbers to come and brag about how you kick a$$ today...such as eating clean, exercise, water intake, resisting temptation etc... We love newbies! So if you kick a$$ and want to brag with a great bunch of highly motivated and supportive lowcarbers this is the challenge for you.

Our challenges allow you to set your own rules. You decide what you want to accomplish by the challenge end dates. Currently, we have a "Kickin' a$$ 'til Labor Day" challenge ending Labor Day weekend.

Our members are a diverse bunch. Most of us seem to eat Atkins style but that is just a coincidence. Lately some of us have been giving Stillmans a try too. All types of lowcarbers are welcome. On the exercise front, we have members training for 5k and 10k races, Body for Lifers, aerobics enthusiasts, walkers, hockey players, cross trainers, etc... We do it all!![/COLOR]

[COLOR=red]So how do you kick a$$ today????[/COLOR]

[magnolia_petals]

we take the challenges of weightloss and daily living one day at a time...we figure if we can do it just for today then we can do it again tomorrow and the next day...
we list our challenges on a daily basis....this is anything from clean eating, upping the water intake, completing exercise for the day, doing laundry, doing paperwork, and any other activities we want to try to accomplish on that one day...
a great group of women with different goals, different ways of eating, and different lifestyles....very supportive group.
a thread is started for each workday and a weekend edition, posting is not mandatory every day as also welcome those who check in from time to time.

[msjoanna]

This is a small but fun group of those following induction or something close to it. It's a great place for newbies and a supportive group. Feel free to drop an and say hello!

[junquedealer]

We are a fun group of Ladies who range from 5' 8" to well over 6 feet. Our challenges usually run 6 weeks long and are based on an fun or obscure holiday that we usually pick based on a fun picture. Everyones challenge goal is individual and based on your own needs.

[auntie3]

[COLOR=purple]The SHRINKING VIOLETS have been around for over a year and a half. Our membership has evolved, and keeps on doing so. Members check in daily, and offer support, and friendly, non-judgmental encouragement to each other. Many of us are struggling with slow weight loss due to sluggish metabolism. Some of us have health problems and are on medications that slow our weight loss. We RE-induct a lot!

We are non-denominational, and have members from Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan - and love to learn about our differences. Our motto is "Once a Violet, Always a Violet". We provide a safe, warm and friendly place to come home to.

Our Daily and Weekend Edition Food For Thought is a group of optional questions that guide our conversation to help us get to know each other as true friends. We speak freely about ANYthing, from Abba, apples and the army to zebras, zinnias and the zoo!

Come on in, and check us out. We love having newcomers and welcome new Violets.

[/color]

[auntie3]

The Canada Gang is truly Canadian. We welcome newcomers. If you live in Canada, (or even if you wish you did) come on in and join in the friendlyl support and conversation about all things Canadian.

Come on in and join us! Newbies and oldbies alike are always welcome.

[emel]

Little Losers Challenge is a group formed especially for those with about 20 pounds or less to lose. We are gratefully amazed by the wealth of information and support offered by all on this website. Supplementing our board experience, this ongoing challenge group specifically targets the needs and challenges of the "Little Loser".

[msparisbound]

[color=brown]Hello all!
I am starting a new challenge group for us 'sistahs' to come and chat about our low carb lifestyles and challenges. Professionals, non-professionals, stay-at-home moms, single, married, divorced, widowed, tall, short, or whatever...come on in!!!

Being a woman of color, I grew up eating the high-fat high-carb foods that the family ate. If I had only know about Atkins then, I wouldn't have had to give up all of the good things I liked about our eating choices. I could have cut back on the breads and sugars and sweets and still had the rest of the foods that I love and I now eat today.

Also, we have the weightloss issue as far as our body type is concerned. Since most of us have been 'blessed' with ample hips and rears, most of the clothes in the stores, even the large and plus sized ones, are not made for our shapes. I know if I go into Lane Bryant, I wear a size 18, I can not fit into their 18's. If I go a size larger, large enough to fit my hips and rear, then it is too big in the waist. So you see, we have a bit more to lose than most women due to the way we are 'built'. (...she's a brick....house!)

Anyway, I just thought this would be a place to keep in touch with each other's lc-ing progress, talk about current events that affect us and just life in general as women of color.[/color]

[color=orange]Here are just a few rules and tips to help out our members:[/color]


[color=purple]JOIN US!
Wherever you are in this WOE, we’d love to have you join us. All newbies are welcome. We also welcome those who are more experienced at low carbing.

• If you'd like to join our group, simply put "SIGN A SISTAH UP!" at the top of your post. Include your stats, too (EX: 178/142/125). We'll add you to the rankings and our new members listing just as soon as possible.
• You will be placed in the rankings based on your current stats (how much toward your weight goal or measurement you’ve achieved).
• Post your stats every Weigh-Day Monday.
• Each time you pass a 10% milestone, you get a promotion and can add the new rank insignia to your siggy!
• Feel free to jump in and post at any time. Nothing is off-topic for this group![/color][color=red](Just keep it 'clean'; ie. no profanity, of course. )[/color][color=purple]
• Be sure to read the section MESSAGE TO MEMBERS below, it will give you other important info you need. Thanks for joining!

[/color]

[color=red]MESSAGE TO MEMBERS[/color]

• [color=purple]Every Monday, please remember to post your current stats at the [/color][color=red]TOP[/color] [color=purple]of your post. We don't use the stats in your signature because we don't know how often you update them, so just put it at the TOP You don’t have to list pounds or percentage lost or rank. We calculate those from your stats.
  
• Chat is every Tues. and Sat. starting at 10:00pm Eastern and going until -?. The password will be PM'd to you. You can not enter the 'Sistahs On Atkins' room without it!
  
• To keep our rankings current, if you do not report for weigh-ins for THREE consecutive weeks (unless we know you’re on vacation, or otherwise indisposed) your name will be removed. If you want to reenlist please PM Msparisbound. You’ll be recognized as a reenlistee and put back on the listing at your previous rank or the rank indicated by your current stats.
• Get the logo!If you want the logo in your signature just copy and paste the following line to your siggy:[/color]
  [[color=red]*[/color]IMG]http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Aug/20038313228553881494611.jpg[[color=red]*[/color]/IMG][color=purple]
  IMPORTANT!!!: Make sure to remove the [/color][color=red]*[/color][color=purple] in the IMG tags at the beginning and end! They are only there to keep the BB from reading the line as an image in this posting. Also, don't split it into two lines because it looks too long; it must all be kept together without spaces.
• Show us your picture! If you need help with this just PM Msparisbound or anyone of us on this thread and we will be glad to help you out.
• Submit your bio and pics to our 'Sistahs' Website! Check out the bios already posted to get an idea of what they include. Then, PM whatever bio info you want to share to Msparisbound. She’ll get it on the 'Sistahs' Website as soon as she can. [/color]

_______________________________________________
________________________________________________


[color=red]Click the link below to be taken straight to the page.[/color]
***Sistahs on Atkins link***

[Moochie]

BATHING SUIT BABES!

We'd love to have you join our group! While our main goal is to lose weight and be healthy, we would LOVE to be able to look nice in a bathing suit. Not necessarily this summer, but one day! We talk daily about our personal lives, family, interests, and of course lowcarbing! Men are welcome too! (Although we dont have any right now!) We try to set mini goals along the way usually ending on Holidays. Its a very fun group that can get pretty crazy at times! And we have been very chatty lately! Some days our threads are 3 pages long!

[Rustybeth]

We are a challenge group who have started out with over 100lbs to lose. We are committed to losing 10lbs per month for the next 12 months by staying at or near induction level carbs, using exercise, supplements, and water as recommended by Atkins and by sharing friendship and support on the board. We also share recipes and problem solving skills.

We run one thread per week and we keep a stats chart of weight and inches lost.

Anyone is welcome to join in at any point, so stop by and have a visit!!!

[2moosmom]

This is a brand new board for those of us who are LCing and nursing a child--from newborn to any age!

We will not debate whether nursing moms should be in ketosis; this is a personal decision!

You are welcome no matter what plan you are following, no matter how old your nursling is!

This is for us to talk, to listen, to encourage, to cheer-on! Or whatever else is needed.

If you are nursing and LCing, come visit with us!

theresa, aka, 2moosmom

[Weazy]

Cheat Free '03 is for those of us who have a hard time getting back on track when cheating. So we don't. Our challenge is simple. Strive to be cheat-free with whichever phase you're on and see if we can get to 100 consecutive cheat-free days as evidenced by the stars in our siggy. If you CHOOSE to cheat, you have to start all over at #1.

[Ohsque]

The SkinnyGonnaB's group ...


We used to be the *Here We Go Again* gang, but felt that name gave us an excuse to start over and start over- Now, we feel that there is no excuse to start over- We have a goal- that goal is to get thin, healthy, and comfortable with ourselves!!! We think that THIS is the time to do it- and we KNOW we will succeed!

So therefore, we've become the SKINNYGONNABE's!

We all have separate goals and plans-
We are from all over the US- anyone from anywhere welcome!
We are all ages, colors, & sizes
We come from all walks of life- just with one main focus- to get SKINNY! and Healthy!


We have grown to become close friends who truly care about each other and support in all we do....

We surely invite you to visit us- Join our honest circle of friendship -as we post daily... yaking, sharing, crying, laughing, & jokin about anything & everything !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's our banner if you'd like to join us....



Post copy&paste this in your siggy....just take out the [color=red]*[/color] and leave NO spaces

[img[color=red]*[/color]]http://www.the-coffee-bean-cafe.com/lcf/skinny1.jpg[/img[color=red]*[/color]]

[Disneydame]

So Cal Losers stands for "Southern California Losers".

We're a group of Low Carbers that live in Southern California that like to get together face to face once or twice a month to do different outings and things. We all have a similiar goal-to lose weight. We are a fairly new group that has been together just about a month. We have members from all over the Southern California area: Rowland Heights, Irvine, Anaheim, Orange, Van Nuys, Hollywood, Riverside, Moreno Valley and more. New members are always welcome and you don't have to live in Southern California to join. Look for our threads in the challenge groups. We post daily Monday through Friday and one combined on the weekend. Our threads are usually titled: "So Cal Losers~MONDAY~" depending on the day of the week. For more info just stop by and post in our threads or PM me I'd be happy to show you the ropes and get you started. We also have a banner available. Hope to see you on the boards
Roxanne

[JosieGrrl]

We go for a month at a time - we're on month 2 now (today is June 4) - and we change the focus based on what the group needs at any given time. This month, we are focusing on reporting what we eat - so if its a Tuesday, you report what you at on Monday. It can be an eye opening experience - hidden carbs can slow you down just as much as over-doing foods that are on program (I think we all know if we ate a side of beef everyday we'd still never lose weight, nuff said). So if you need that, er, cattle prod, encouragement, whatever - and believe me checking in everyday is a real motivator Come join us! Just look for the header Four Week Challengers, (date) and that's us. No need to wait till the next one starts - you're welcome anytime.