Having a support network help you on a journey towards better health is essential. One of the great features of the National Challenge  X-Weighted site is the groups function. Every participant will be able to join existing online groups or setup their own, in order to create a support network that suits their needs. You can set up support groups that are geographically based, calling your group  "Halifax Hotties" or the "Sault Ste Marie Slimmers" for example, or ones that reflect your situation, such as "Moms on the Run" or "Guys with Guts", or any kind of group at all.

One group that will be set up is for the past participants of X-Weighted, as there are several that will be participating in the National Challenge. Marichu, from season 2, is really looking forward to participating and says, "I think it will be great to connect with past participants to see where their journey led them and to see what kind of changes taking part in the show affected in their lives."

Marichu is taking part in the challenge to lose the weight that she gained having her baby and hopes this time to push herself even further than she did on X-Weighted. "I'm looking ahead to my 20 year high school reunion in 2011 and want to go weighing less than I did in high school," she says. Marichu is going to work towards losing 70 pounds in the 6-month challenge - "I lost 66 last time and I know how much work that took, and am prepared to work even harder this time, and have a year long goal of 110 pounds," she says.

Another past participant who will be joining Marichu is Kristi, from season 3. "I still have a ways to go and my journey isn't yet done," says Kristi, "I keep saying that now I'm on Phase 2 of where I want to be.  I know that I had a lot more success when I was fully accountable, and I had more support. Being a participant on the show was so amazing and if I can carry that on in some kind of way and be a part of X-Weighted I'll have the success that I want. 2010 is my year to get there."

Amy, who was featured on yesterday's blog post, will be setting up a group with her real-life friends (who became real-life friends after meeting in the blogosphere) where they will be  able to check in with each other and see how they are doing in terms of working towards the goal that they all share -  to run a half marathon.

There is no limit to how many groups you can join, or start, it is all about creating the support networks that you need in order to succeed at the national challenge.