🧮 Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: CHALLENGE INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT & PARTICIPATION! 🧮
On behalf of the overall leadership team (Barb @ladyluk1 ~ Ceri @Ceriusly1 ~ Diane @Dianedoessmiles1 , and Heidi @hicim705 ) as well as the leaders of our eight individual challenge teams (Fit Force ~ Mission Slimpossible ~ Positively Strong 4 Life ~ Rain Dancers ~ Red Hots ~ Shape Shifters ~ Tenacious GR8TERS ~ Thinner Winners) …
👋WELCOME👋 to our 🆕newest🆕 5% Challengers and WELCOME BACK our returning 👫friends👫!
This marks our third (out of four) Seasonal Challenge of 2025. Please join us in celebrating our 5% Seasonal Challenges … Cheers to 15 more Happy & Healthy Years!!
We hope that you take some time to read about and take part in the pre-Challenge activities, as they are designed to help you prepare for success!!
The Summer signals longer days and schedules that seem a little less rigid. For many of us, the Summer Solstice arrives signaling the longest day of our calendar year. In the Northern Hemisphere, it arrives on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 10:41pm. I hate to say it folks, after that day, our daylight hours shrink by a small amount of time per day as we march toward our next Season. For now, however, let's concentrate on: ‘Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer’.
I found a list of things to do during the summer months ~ I’m sure that many of us have quite a few of them on our ‘must do’ list for the summer of 2025 as well … how many are on YOUR summer checklist?
The beginning of a new season (or new year, month, or week) is the perfect time to make some new resolutions (either 📢loud and proud📢 or 🔕🔇silently, as a promise to yourself🔇🔕). Whatever you choose to do ~, please remember that you are doing this for YOU, your health, and your well-being. Jump in and join us to be the BEST YOU that you can be and make that wonderful commitment to YOU!
For the several hundred of us who join the Seasonal 5% Challenges from one season to the next, we come here because we are looking to make a change or to stay on course. We are seeking support, cultivating our long-time friendships, and looking forward to connecting with new members. We also look for structure and continuity. Most of our 5% Challengers followed us from SparkPeople after they closed in the summer of 2021. Many of those Challengers have been with us for 15 YEARS!! Our sense of community and support helps us to welcome new friends and Challengers from the MFP site who are now regulars to our seasonal Exercise and Healthy Habits Challenges. Our longevity is a testament to our commitment to ourselves and to one another.
In doing research to write our Pre-Challenge activities, I once again turn to an older article was found on the internet that discussed Team Challenges, and our own 5% Seasonal Challenge was highlighted (It is the 2nd item). Lynn, @kaliswalker (one of the original founders of the 5% Challenge) was interviewed ~ the link to the article is below. Please read it as the writing discusses the importance teams and support. The 5% Challenge model provides such support and camaraderie. The article was written in 2016: https://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=memberrun_challenges_can_help_you_find_success
(As of this writing in June, 2025, this article still shows up, and it is still worth the read.)
Our story continues to grow: When SparkPeople closed, we, the current Overall Leadership Team, realized that without SparkPeople and its team spirit, we (and hundreds of our 5% Challenge friends) would be lost and struggling. We sprang into action and searched for an alternate site where we could continue our journey and continue to write our story. Although many sites were considered, MyFitnessPal was ultimately chosen as our 'new home' with the start of the 2021 Autumn/Fall 5% Challenge. Bringing the 5% Challenge to MFP was a true labor of love, and, with full disclosure, it was not smooth sailing as we had hoped, but the Overall Challenge Leader Team put their heads down and worked hard to MAKE IT WORK! At this point, our Challenges are enjoyable and are doing what they were intended to do ~ to provide a space where you can practice healthy habits and where you can chat with other like-minded MFP members, and where you are encouraged to meet a new friend or two! We continue to have faithful 5% Challenge ‘followers’ from SparkPeople and are fortunate to have been able to spread our message to MPF and its members and welcome them into our 5% Challenge Community!
2024 presented its own set of Challenges. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we decided to change the 8-week format to a 10-week format. After a few rounds, however, we decided to settle back into our tried & true 8-week Challenge format. 2024 also reminded the Overall Leadership Team that we are mighty despite having been presented with our own share of real-life obstacles. As a result, we were not the mighty fabulous five that we had once been and struggled to find time for ourselves, never mind the demands of our volunteer time here running the Challenges. We quickly developed strategies to work together to continue to forge ahead. We collaborated with one another by sharing thoughts and ideas to stay on track and we revamped our 5% Challenge ‘travel/LTGL’ format into a more exercise-based and healthy habit (HH) focused format. Switching to this new format gave the Overall Leaders a chance to flex their creative muscles. We are proud that we were able to keep the Challenges going and even more proud that, in the end, 2024 was still a successful year!
In 2025, we are celebrating 15 years of 5% Challenges and we continue to grow and thrive. We are listening to our 5% Challenge community members are embracing their ideas; attempting to incorporate some of them into our current model to keep our Challenge(s) fresh and engaging.
🗬🤔 Now that you have been provided with a bit of a background of the 5% Challenge, please think about what YOU need and how YOU are going to be approaching the 2025 Summer 5% Challenge. Will you continue to practice healthy habits that you have already learned and are working for you? Are you looking to begin something entirely new? Are you still trying to identify where you are right now and what you would like to get out of the next 8 weeks? There are no right or wrong answers here as everyone’s healthy lifestyle goals/journeys are unique - like we all are. 🤔🗭
😊Your FIRST Countdown Activity for this Challenge will be for YOU to decide where YOU would like to go on YOUR Seasonal 5% Journey (as an added bonus, how would YOU would like to begin to write YOUR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE STORY?). Everyone's reason for joining this Challenge is different. We would like you to dig down deep to share what your motivation is for coming here. We would like you to share what brings you here and, even more importantly, what keeps you coming back! Perhaps there are things that you would like to get out of your personal 5% journey that we haven't discussed and/or researched. Why don't you write down some of YOUR ideas ~ we might even be able to incorporate some of those things in this or future Challenges!😊
✍️Feel free to add your comments to this thread outlining your exercise and healthy habits plan for a successful 2025 Summer 5% Challenge (if you blog, please consider writing about this topic. You may add the link to your blog here or you may simply wish to copy/paste your writing here - or do both!), but please consider sharing!!
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NOTE:
The 5% Seasonal Challenge Teams are very active.
You will be expected to participate to the best of your ability.
ALL challenge weeks run from Saturday through Friday - you will be expected to record your exercise and ‘Healthy Habits’ (HH) points based on weekly Challenge themes. You are expected to record these points daily or at least as often as you can during the week but no later than 11:59 pm each Saturday (your local time). In addition, you are expected to weigh in one time per week and report your results by 11:59 pm every Saturday (your local time). Your individual team leaders and/or teammates will help to answer any and all questions about where to record your points.
🔮 Our 2025 Summer 5% Challenge Teams are currently being set up! 🔮
✉️You will be invited to your individual team soon, giving you enough time to get to know your team leaders and teammates. Until then, get to know some of the Challengers in the 5% Challenge Community who will be participating right along with you.
📢Announcements will be made when invitations to your individual teams are sent. Please visit this team, the 2025 SUMMER 5% COMMUNITY TEAM, often, as this will be the best source for up-to-date information.
Replies
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Registered dietician referred us here earlier this year for logging. Switching over to a food exchange DASH program now instead. Appreciate the daily active group here.
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@yakkystuff Dash is highly promoted by Penn State. When I retired they were using it in their diabetes programming.
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Thx @Ceriusly1 - heart health/cholesterol, blood pressure, so many things - almost sounds too good to be true.
First we focused on how much (cico) and our preferences - now, wants us to focus on food choices (mediteranean bent), mostly whole/unprocessed foods, freggies, healthy fats, certain proteins and sodium. It's a bit overwhelming, so, am glad to hear there's mainstream people pushing it.
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My 5% Journey Destination:
I want to arrive at a place of joyful discipline, where my daily choices consistently align with the vision I have for my health, energy, and longevity. I’m not chasing perfection—I'm pursuing wholeness. I imagine crossing that 5% finish line stronger in body, steadier in mind, and sweeter in spirit.How I’d like to begin writing my Healthy Lifestyle Story:
With intention, grace, and consistency. I want this chapter to read like a redemption story—where I stop negotiating with excuses and start honoring the body God gave me. A story where I nourish myself well, move more freely, and speak kindly to the person in the mirror.My Motivation for Joining:
I’m here to reclaim my vitality and deepen my self-respect. I'm doing this for the version of me who wants to hike without fatigue, dance with joy, travel with ease, and serve others from a place of overflow—not burnout.What Keeps Me Coming Back:
This community. The steady encouragement, the wisdom shared, the grace-filled reminders that one choice doesn't define the journey. And the wins—big and small—that remind me change is happening.Ideas I’d Love to Explore in Future Challenges:
- A “Grace Day” where we reflect on progress rather than perfection
- A “Movement & Meditation” week: short workouts paired with 5-minute mindfulness/devotional moments
- Recipes or hacks for people who are busy but still want to eat whole, real food without overcomplicating it
- A "Mindset Reset" day to challenge limiting beliefs we carry about our health journey
This journey is deeply personal, but it’s also communal. I’m excited for this season—and for all the ways we’ll rise together.
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@azhkrgrl I love this one and think it would be very beneficial for us all.
Recipes or hacks for people who are busy but still want to eat whole, real food without overcomplicating it
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I love these challenges and the in between breaks. They help me to stay on track better my doing them. I keep coming back to the challenges because of the support and encouragement we receive from our team mates. You have an emotional attachment with members because we are all going through some of the same things and it easier to understand someone who is going through the same things and see how they have overcome them and moved on to a healthier life style. Activity #1
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My 5% Journey Destination:
I want to be in a place where I feel good about how I feel and look. Without too being judgmental when I look in the mirror. A place where even the smallest change matters. A place where I can just be me. And no matter where I am in my over all journey, when I cross that 5% finish line I will be Blessed to have been on the journey with you all.How I'd like to begin writing my Healthy Lifestyle Story:
My Healthy Lifestyle Story is not just beginning. My story actually started in 2008 with SparksPeople. I continue that story here with MFP. It has been a journey for sure (a life time ago). I have always had the best of intentions, but I have not always been consistent or patient on my journey. One thing I have had is determination. I would like this challenge to be my very best and I will try my best. No matter how the story ends with this 2025 Summer 5% Challenge my determination will never waiver.My Motivation for joining:
I’m here to continue the journey I started so long ago. I'm here to try harder and do better. I'm here because it keeps me active in mind and body. And to be a part of a family that cares about the participants in these groups, and is not afraid to show they care.What Keeps Me Coming Back:
This community keeps me coming back as they also motivated me for joining. I keep coming back to keep myself focused on my health and well being. I am always excited about what changes can be made during these challenges.1 -
@azhkrgrl - I love your ideas to explore for future challenges! Great post.
My reason for being here is fairly simple. I have had several surgeries in the past 3 years and am working hard on recovery. As I heal from my 2nd spinal fusion in August 2024 I see everything I want to accomplish, but my body is not quite yet on board. Being in the 5% Challenges gives me a chance to actually see the progress I'm making, and it helps to have like minded friends to communicate with. My end goal, of course, is to lose some weight - but more importantly is to feel strong again!
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☑️ Done!!
I've written about this activity in my blog ~ if you are a member of the group: ✍️🖊️📓💻 Seasonal 5% Challenges ~ BLOGGERS!! ✍️🖊️📓💻
please follow this link:
If you are not yet a member of the Seasonal 5% Challenges ~ BLOGGERS!!, please visit the team and request to become a member and join me in keeping track of YOUR journey! Here is a link to the team:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/143978-%EF%B8%8F-%EF%B8%8F-seasonal-5-challenges-bloggers-%EF%B8%8F-%EF%B8%8F
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I love these challenges as well and keep coming back for the accountability of my team and the overall team.
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I'm really looking forward to this challenge, the last few weeks have been tough with some medical issues, but hopefully, they are over!!
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I had no idea that these challenges were started from people from SparkPeople. I was a member of that site and was very disappointed when it closed to the public. I've been on MFP intermittently but I'm wanting to reestablish myself here and build a firm foundation. I'm excited about this!
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I lost about 50 pounds on WW soon after I moved to Hawaii, so about 30 years ago. Now I stay close to the 5% MFP challenge to make sure I don't gain any of it back. I started with this challenge when we were SparkPeople and moved to MFP with them, and I've been here ever since. I like the people, the encouragement from others, and the motivation to take care of my health. I'll be 91 in September and I'm still going strong! The MFP community helps with that.
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Activity #1 - Pre-Challenge
I have written about this in my blog.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10887409/bbonet3s-blessings-barriers#latest
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I need to focus more on food and restart daily morning walks. For some reason I’ve lost my GUNG HO it has gone bye-bye. I like the challenge because it keeps me accountable. I joined Silver Sneakers at the Y 5months and haven’t been there yet. This has to CHANGE!!!
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My 5% Journey Destination:
At the end of this challenge, I would love to be able to look in the mirror and see the accomplishment that I have done the past eight weeks. My fitness journey is pretty much all of my adult life. I’ve struggled with my weight. I’ve struggled with Arthritis and fibromyalgia and other issues. I want to be able to walk 30 or 40 minutes without pain.How I'd like to begin writing my Healthy Lifestyle Story:
As I said above, this has been a struggle my whole adult life. I want to reach my goals for fitness and weight and stay there!!My Motivation for joining:
I need others to motivate me to reach my goals. My son and I are accountable to each other and he is being very successful in his weight loss and fitness goals. I have lost almost 10 pounds since we started. My highest weight in 2002 was 300 pounds And my lowest weight in 2003 was 165 pounds. At the end of 2002 I was hit with several medical conditions all at once and was in bed for five months. I was finally diagnosed in 2003 and immediately gained 90 pounds back when put on prednisone I’ve been working since then to get that weight off and I have 70 pounds to go to reach my goal weight.What Keeps Me Coming Back:
This is my first time with this challenge.1 -
My 5% Journey Destination: My journey is about small daily habits that will keep me consistent and aware of taking care of me. It is not a destination but a journey. This time period in my life during these few months will be a way to bridge the gap between the past and the future. Always striving. Always thinking. Always learning.
How I'd like to begin writing my Healthy Lifestyle Story: Writing my story begins with where I used to be. My mind. My body. My spirit. All of them contribute to my health. Reflecting on the past without dwelling on it will help me learn what to do to improve and celebrate how far I have come.
My Motivation for joining: My motivation for joining is to know I am not alone. I can reach out to others who are working to improve their lives as well. The support I can give and receive is motivating to me.
What Keeps Me Coming Back: I come back to continue to stay focused on what is important to my health. But also to learn from others and to see ways I can contribute. We can all grow and learn and improve together.
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My 5% Journey Destination:
I have been struggling for months. I was focused for more than a year and lost 60 pounds…but as I approached my goal, I struggled. I sabotaged myself. Stopped doing what worked consistently. I have been cycling up and down in a 15 pound range. I will focus on consistent healthy habits to lose 5% this challenge.How I’d like to begin writing my Healthy Lifestyle Story:
Time to make my health a priority. Without good health, life becomes harder. I know so much of health comes from eating clean whole foods, being active…not just in exercise periods, but moving during the day. Taking quiet time to reduce stress, moments to be thankful for all that I have, spending time getting closer to my God. Getting enough sleep. Work when I need to work, relax when it is time to work. Set aside enough time for sleep. Hydrate consistently.My Motivation for Joining:Particpating in the 5% challenge helps me stay focused on my health each day. I enjoy challenges so that I can be motivating to keep me on track.
What Keeps Me Coming Back:
I learn so much from everyone that participates. I don't know everything. Cycling through difference focuses each week helps me to try new things…finding new things that help me and learning what doesn't.Ideas I’d Love to Explore in Future Challenges:I liked that we could choose a Healthy Habit to focus on for the entire challenge. It gave me some consistency for the whole challenge while I worked on different healthy habits.
Have a Great and Healthy Day!!! Gretl
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