This is an abridged article by Heidi (hicim705) Overall Co-Leader, Seasonal 5% Challenger

On behalf of the overall leadership team (Lynn @kaliswalker ~ Ceri @Ceriusly1 ~ Heidi @hicim705 and ~ Barb @ladyluk1, 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) …

Please take some time to read about and take part in the pre-Challenge activities as they are designed to help you get prepared for success ~ especially to make the best of this fabulous summer. Whatever you choose to do ~ please remember, that you are doing this for YOU; your health, and your well-being to become the best **you** that you can be!!

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 cultivate our friendships, seek support, and we look for structure and continuity. Most of our 5% Challengers have followed us from SparkPeople after they closed their site in the summer of 2021 but our sense of community and support has helped us to welcome Challengers from the MFP site who are now regulars to our seasonal Exercise/Healthy Lifestyle Challenges.
Here is an older article from the internet that discussed Team Challenges, and our own 5% Seasonal Challenge was highlighted. Lynn, @kaliswalker (one of the original founders of the 5% Challenge) was interviewed ~ here is the link to the article. It discusses the importance of teams, but the 5% Challenge model was in the spotlight in this article that was written in 2016: https://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=memberrun_challenges_can_help_you_find_success
(As of this writing (June 2024) this article still shows up and it is worth the read).

The story continued (and 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. MyFitnessPal was ultimately chosen as our 'new home' with the start of the 2021 Fall 5% Challenge. 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!

🗬🤔 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 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/journey 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. 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!😊

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 s - 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 Summer 5% Challenge Teams are currently being set up.

✉️You will be invited to your individual team soon, in enough time to get to know your team leaders and team mates. Until then, get to know some of the Challengers here in the 5% Challenge Community that will be participating right along with you.

📢Announcements will be made when invitations to your individual teams are sent. Please visit this team, the 2024 SUMMER 5% COMMUNITY TEAM often as this will be the best source for up-to-date information.

✍️Feel free to add your comments to this thread outlining your exercise plan for a successful 2024 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!!