When thinking about the 2023 Summer 5% Challenge, you must COMMIT to the changes that you plan to make and you must also commit to the Challenge itself. There are many ways to commit to the Challenge … but ~ the easiest and fastest way to make that commitment and to help ensure you start (and finish) the Challenge is to Make An Appointment With Yourself.

In researching this topic, I found that I’m not the only one that tries to ‘stay on track’ by adding this type of journey to a calendar. If you are anything like me, there is a ‘wall calendar’ that still adorns a part of my kitchen. On it, I carefully add birthdays and some important appointments, but I find that most of these are duplicated on a calendar that I carry with me. Years ago, I used to carry a smaller, purse-sized calendar and I would carefully record birthdays/anniversaries/appointments/vacations, etc. on it. Fast forward several years, almost everyone carries (and uses) a calendar by way of an ‘app’ that is on your cell phone. Why not add the 2023 Summer 5% Challenge as an event (or appointment) on whatever calendar program that you use?

One suggestion is to add the 2023 Summer 5% Challenge as a recurring event. One time per week is all that is really needed, but it will serve as a constant reminder that you are working toward a goal that has a beginning and an end. Not sure what to ‘calendar’? Here is a format that you can copy/use for your own purposes (or you can design your own format). First, consider color coding the Challenge to a color that makes it ‘stand out’ and is different from any/all of your other appointments. Next, decide how you want this appointment to show up on your calendar … following is an example of a weekly appointment (that shows up every Saturday during the Challenge with an additional entries highlighting the final day of the challenge and final weigh-in):



This is not a unique idea as you can do an online search for something like: Planning a weight loss journey/calendar. You will find many ideas that deal with this idea. In previous topics we have discussed planning in many different ways, this exercise strives to keep you on track. A seasonal 5% challenge is 8 weeks. Each week = 7 days. 8 weeks X 7 days/week = 56 days in total. You CAN commit to 56 days (or 8 weeks) and making an appointment with yourself to ensure that you are present each and every day is so smart!

📓 Your assignment: PRE-CHALLENGE ACTIVITY #7: Have You Made An Appointment With Yourself?

💭Please think about the suggestions of this exercise and let everyone know that you have committed to the Challenge by making an appointment with yourself. In addition, please share your creative ways to remind yourself to show up!!

Feel free to add your comments to this thread outlining your plan for a successful 2023 Summer 5% Challenge (if you blog, 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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PLEASE NOTE: The Seasonal 5% 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 Living the Good Life 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 Friday (your local time). In addition, you are expected to weigh in one time per week by 11:59 pm every Saturday (your local time). Your individual team leaders and/or team mates will help to answer any and all questions about where to record your points.

🔮Our individual Summer 5% Challenge Teams are currently being set up.

✉️Invitations to individual teams have been sent out. Members are packing their bags and getting their boarding passes so that they can join their individual team. Until then, get to know some of the Challengers that will be participating right along with you. Once you have joined your individual team, please check your team's instructions, become familiar with them and get to know your leaders and team mates.

📢Announcements will be made when invitations to your individual teams are sent. Please visit this team, the 2023 SUMMER 5% COMMUNITY TEAM often as this will be the best source for up-to-date information.

Previous Pre-Challenge Activities (consider reading/participating in one or all of them):

** Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT! ℹ️🔠
Here is the link: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10887289/countdown-pre-challenge-activity-1-information-and-your-input-ℹ️#latest

** Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #2: SET SOME GOALS!
Here is the link:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/post/editdiscussion/10887403

**Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #3: Meal Plan
Here is the link:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10887514/countdown-pre-challenge-activity-3-meal-plan/p1?new=1

**Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #4: Exercise Plan
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10887598/countdown-pre-challenge-activity-4-exercise-plan/p1?new=1

**Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #5: Mindful Eating vs. Emotional Eating
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10887650/countdown-pre-challenge-activity-5-mindful-eating-vs-emotional-eating#latest

**Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #6: Starting Measurements with (optional) Before & After Photos
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10887733/countdown-pre-challenge-activity-6-starting-measurements-with-optional-before-after-photos#latest