FrequentlyAskedQuestions
Who do I contact for what?
When will we receive the challenges?
You will receive the TnT, WE, LCW, and GOYBAD by no later than the day before so you can prepare for the challenges
What do I do if I am going to miss a WI because of vacation or other reason?
Contact Das92687 as soon as you know so they can make note of why you are missing when they submit the team WI to Admin. Please
send them a sparkmail to let them know so it doesn't get lost in the chat thread. If you don't let them know in advance it could be considered
an unexcused WI so make sure you let them know.
Where do I post my WI and Challenge points?
You will post your WI and Challenge points in our Tracking thread. Please do so by the time your co-captain has requested. If
you didn't participate in the challenge, please put a 0 in the challenge spot so the co-captain gathering the numbers knows you did not
participate.
WOW the tracking thread is so long is there an easy way to find my post to edit it without having to scroll through it all?
Yes there is -
➤ hit Ctrl+F
➤ A Find box will open up - depending on your browser it could be on the top or on the bottom of the page.
➤ In the box start typing your Sparkname- - this should bring you to your post
➤ Scroll to the bottom of your post and click on edit my post
➤ Make your changed and make sure you hit post message (or your change will not be there)
Really are you kidding me my post disappeared
If you're typing your post and it suddenly disappears (ack!), hit "Ctrl Z" before you hit anything else and it should bring your post back!
Another tip is to write your posts in a Word document, then cut and paste it here.
How do I post on the website?
You do not post on the website you post in the tracking thread (see above). The website is here so all of our information is easy to find.
I'm on the Biggest Loser Challenge SparkTeam, but I can't find the team. Did it disappear?
After the first week has been completed, the SparkTeam name will change every week to reflect the Weekly biggest losing team. It is still the
same core challenge, and your team threads are still here. Many have been confused by this in the first few weeks (ie; BLC22 Week Two
NAVY NINJAS).
Where can I find the weekly challenge results to see where I placed and where my team placed amongst all of the challengers?
You can find the Weekly Challenge Results by going to our Main Challenge Page and Clicking on the Winning Teams icon...This will change
from week to week as the BIGGEST LOSERS change from week to week. For instance, this example the NAVY NINJAS are the Weeks
BIGGEST LOSING TEAM. This is our way of putting the BIGGEST LOSERS name in Lights for the week. So click on their picture and it will
take you directly to the RESULTS page (a google document spreadsheet), where the results are listed out from Week 1 on through to the
current week.
Can I change my Spark Name
Yes, of course you can. But you should tell your teammates that you made the change so they know who you are after the change. Also
make sure you send a sparkmail to your captain and all of your co-captains so they know that they need to change your name on their
sheets
This team is really chatty do I have to answer everyone all the time?
You'll see that some of us, especially our cappies, will post replies that address each of us individually. You are NOT required or expected to
do the same! If all you have time for is a quick "fly-by" to let us know you're still living and breathing (and, hopefully, Sparking!), that's fine!
How to Find Stuff
CONTROL-F can be used to find something. For instance, you KNOW there was a discussion in your team that you wanted to re-read, but now there are PAGES of posts to wade through! Click on CONTROL and F. A handy little search screen will pop up (on most internet browsers). Type in a key word or name that was used in the conversation and it will be highlighted!
Note: MAC users it is Cmd+F
What is considered as Fitness or Intentional Exercise?
Different Types of Fitness as explained by BLC
CARDIO means exercise that elevates your heart rate. Depending on your level of fitness, that could either mean walking or running up a flight of stairs. NEVER compete with anybody but yourself! Cardio does burn calories and exercise your heart, but it does not solve all your fitness problems - make sure your program contains LOTS of different types of exercise. It is better for your body and will keep you from getting bored!
INTENTIONAL EXERCISE includes cardio, strength training, stretching, yoga, playing with the kids (as long as you're moving, not playing board games), even mall walking (as long as you're not stopping). Any movement that is not an ordinary part of your day is Intentional Fitness. (That means if you walk a certain route EVERY DAY as part of your job, it is NOT intentional fitness - but if you take a walk for exercise at lunch, that IS)
STRENGTH TRAINING doesn't require a gym or a personal trainer. Spark has LOTS of resources! Strength training doesn't always get your heart rate elevated like cardio (though it can!), but it builds muscle and increases your metabolism.
Overload Survival Skills (from BLC training)
First of all, let's let you in on a little secret: sometimes, we ALL feel that way! No matter how many rounds you've been in the BLC sometimes you get behind and you see pages of posts you haven't read!
What to do?
First of all, don't panic and quit! If you're TOO busy to read the thread, we officially give you permission to skip it TODAY (but most of the time you should read and comment - that's how you get to know your team and how they get to know HOW to help YOU!).
Make a short post letting us know what's going on with you. That tells us:
a) you haven't been abducted by aliens, and
b) you will be back.
Then when you have time to catch up, go back and read some of what you missed and comment to posts that make you laugh, are directed to you, and when you can help somebody. OR just dive in, announce you're not going back and then start connecting with your team from there.
DON'T FEEL YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO EVERY POST! There, we said it and that makes it official.
Now BREATHE!
If you find that BLC is taking more time than you expected, TALK to your captain! They are pretty wonderful people and they've been around for awhile - trust me, they UNDERSTAND! They are juggling life, exercise and BLC too. They may have some helpful suggestions for you.
Whatever happens, DON'T just disappear. This is the internet and we've heard that alien abduction thing happens Don't make us worry about you!
How to Skim Posts for comments directed specifically to YOU:
a) Give yourself permission to SKIM
b) Hold down CTRL and "F" to bring up the "Find" box (Mac users Cmd & F).
c) Type in your name (or what your teammates typically call you)
d) Enter and it will skip to the entries in which you are mentioned
e) Keep pressing enter and it will continue to skip to each entry
How to Find your last entry and then Skim up to the Present:
a) Give yourself permission to SKIM
b) Hold down CTRL and "F" to bring up the "Find" box (Mac users Cmd & F).
c) Type in your Spark username
d) Enter and it will skip to your last post
e) Read up from your last post
Basic thing to remember is that we have all suffered from Posting Overload and survived...
YOU can do it....just remember to.....
Breathe, Skim and Post
When will we receive the challenges?
You will receive the TnT, WE, LCW, and GOYBAD by no later than the day before so you can prepare for the challenges
What do I do if I am going to miss a WI because of vacation or other reason?
Contact Das92687 as soon as you know so they can make note of why you are missing when they submit the team WI to Admin. Please
send them a sparkmail to let them know so it doesn't get lost in the chat thread. If you don't let them know in advance it could be considered
an unexcused WI so make sure you let them know.
Where do I post my WI and Challenge points?
You will post your WI and Challenge points in our Tracking thread. Please do so by the time your co-captain has requested. If
you didn't participate in the challenge, please put a 0 in the challenge spot so the co-captain gathering the numbers knows you did not
participate.
WOW the tracking thread is so long is there an easy way to find my post to edit it without having to scroll through it all?
Yes there is -
➤ hit Ctrl+F
➤ A Find box will open up - depending on your browser it could be on the top or on the bottom of the page.
➤ In the box start typing your Sparkname- - this should bring you to your post
➤ Scroll to the bottom of your post and click on edit my post
➤ Make your changed and make sure you hit post message (or your change will not be there)
Really are you kidding me my post disappeared
If you're typing your post and it suddenly disappears (ack!), hit "Ctrl Z" before you hit anything else and it should bring your post back!
Another tip is to write your posts in a Word document, then cut and paste it here.
How do I post on the website?
You do not post on the website you post in the tracking thread (see above). The website is here so all of our information is easy to find.
I'm on the Biggest Loser Challenge SparkTeam, but I can't find the team. Did it disappear?
After the first week has been completed, the SparkTeam name will change every week to reflect the Weekly biggest losing team. It is still the
same core challenge, and your team threads are still here. Many have been confused by this in the first few weeks (ie; BLC22 Week Two
NAVY NINJAS).
Where can I find the weekly challenge results to see where I placed and where my team placed amongst all of the challengers?
You can find the Weekly Challenge Results by going to our Main Challenge Page and Clicking on the Winning Teams icon...This will change
from week to week as the BIGGEST LOSERS change from week to week. For instance, this example the NAVY NINJAS are the Weeks
BIGGEST LOSING TEAM. This is our way of putting the BIGGEST LOSERS name in Lights for the week. So click on their picture and it will
take you directly to the RESULTS page (a google document spreadsheet), where the results are listed out from Week 1 on through to the
current week.
Can I change my Spark Name
Yes, of course you can. But you should tell your teammates that you made the change so they know who you are after the change. Also
make sure you send a sparkmail to your captain and all of your co-captains so they know that they need to change your name on their
sheets
This team is really chatty do I have to answer everyone all the time?
You'll see that some of us, especially our cappies, will post replies that address each of us individually. You are NOT required or expected to
do the same! If all you have time for is a quick "fly-by" to let us know you're still living and breathing (and, hopefully, Sparking!), that's fine!
How to Find Stuff
CONTROL-F can be used to find something. For instance, you KNOW there was a discussion in your team that you wanted to re-read, but now there are PAGES of posts to wade through! Click on CONTROL and F. A handy little search screen will pop up (on most internet browsers). Type in a key word or name that was used in the conversation and it will be highlighted!
Note: MAC users it is Cmd+F
What is considered as Fitness or Intentional Exercise?
Different Types of Fitness as explained by BLC
CARDIO means exercise that elevates your heart rate. Depending on your level of fitness, that could either mean walking or running up a flight of stairs. NEVER compete with anybody but yourself! Cardio does burn calories and exercise your heart, but it does not solve all your fitness problems - make sure your program contains LOTS of different types of exercise. It is better for your body and will keep you from getting bored!
INTENTIONAL EXERCISE includes cardio, strength training, stretching, yoga, playing with the kids (as long as you're moving, not playing board games), even mall walking (as long as you're not stopping). Any movement that is not an ordinary part of your day is Intentional Fitness. (That means if you walk a certain route EVERY DAY as part of your job, it is NOT intentional fitness - but if you take a walk for exercise at lunch, that IS)
STRENGTH TRAINING doesn't require a gym or a personal trainer. Spark has LOTS of resources! Strength training doesn't always get your heart rate elevated like cardio (though it can!), but it builds muscle and increases your metabolism.
Overload Survival Skills (from BLC training)
First of all, let's let you in on a little secret: sometimes, we ALL feel that way! No matter how many rounds you've been in the BLC sometimes you get behind and you see pages of posts you haven't read!
What to do?
First of all, don't panic and quit! If you're TOO busy to read the thread, we officially give you permission to skip it TODAY (but most of the time you should read and comment - that's how you get to know your team and how they get to know HOW to help YOU!).
Make a short post letting us know what's going on with you. That tells us:
a) you haven't been abducted by aliens, and
b) you will be back.
Then when you have time to catch up, go back and read some of what you missed and comment to posts that make you laugh, are directed to you, and when you can help somebody. OR just dive in, announce you're not going back and then start connecting with your team from there.
DON'T FEEL YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO EVERY POST! There, we said it and that makes it official.
Now BREATHE!
If you find that BLC is taking more time than you expected, TALK to your captain! They are pretty wonderful people and they've been around for awhile - trust me, they UNDERSTAND! They are juggling life, exercise and BLC too. They may have some helpful suggestions for you.
Whatever happens, DON'T just disappear. This is the internet and we've heard that alien abduction thing happens Don't make us worry about you!
How to Skim Posts for comments directed specifically to YOU:
a) Give yourself permission to SKIM
b) Hold down CTRL and "F" to bring up the "Find" box (Mac users Cmd & F).
c) Type in your name (or what your teammates typically call you)
d) Enter and it will skip to the entries in which you are mentioned
e) Keep pressing enter and it will continue to skip to each entry
How to Find your last entry and then Skim up to the Present:
a) Give yourself permission to SKIM
b) Hold down CTRL and "F" to bring up the "Find" box (Mac users Cmd & F).
c) Type in your Spark username
d) Enter and it will skip to your last post
e) Read up from your last post
Basic thing to remember is that we have all suffered from Posting Overload and survived...
YOU can do it....just remember to.....
Breathe, Skim and Post