Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity 1 - Welcome!

kaliswalker
kaliswalker Posts: 1,316 Member
edited June 20 in Social Groups
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) โ€ฆ
๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ‘™๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽˆ๐ŸŽ†WELCOME TO HAPPY SUMMER 2024 5% CHALLENGE๐ŸŽˆ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿ‘™๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒž
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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.
No matter how you found us, we are so happy that you did!!
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!

๐Ÿ—ฌ๐Ÿค” 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 everyoneโ€™s healthy lifestyle goals/journey are unique - like we all are. ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ—ญ
๐Ÿ““Your assignment:
Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT!

๐Ÿ˜ŠYour 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!๐Ÿ˜Š

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 โ€˜Living the Good Lifeโ€™ 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.

๐Ÿ”ฎOur Summer 5% Challenge Teams are currently being set up.

โœ‰๏ธ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.

๐Ÿ“ขAnnouncements 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.

โœ๏ธ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!!

Replies

  • Lynne10010
    Lynne10010 Posts: 936 Member
    LTGL challenge ideas:

    Record exercise points each day. Part of being a good team member is recording exercise daily. Getting LTGL points would be an added incentive to regularity.

    Record five gratitudes each day. It doesn't seem food related but gratitude seems to change attitudes about every challenge of life including eating challenges.

    Write down what accomplished in the day. It's easy to just dwell on what we haven't gotten done and that can lead to discouragement eating.

  • cormierannie
    cormierannie Posts: 5,458 Member
    LGTL ideas
    Record amount of water that you drink every day
    track your exercise every day
    track your food every day
  • macrat12
    macrat12 Posts: 6,530 Member
    LTGL ideas:

    Read 10 pages of a personal development book
    Hit Calories and Protein goals
    Gratitude Journal
  • deskjockey925
    deskjockey925 Posts: 6,040 Member
    LTGL Challenge Ideas:

    Record exercise points every day
    Strength Training
    Self-Reflection: Meditate, Pray, or Journal
    Self Improvement: Keeping Boundaries, Avoiding Emotional Eating/Bad Habits

  • Schnootie
    Schnootie Posts: 428 Member
    LTGL Challenge Ideas:

    - Stretching/Yoga
    - Explore a new relaxation technique - breathing exercises, pressure points, herbal teas, meditating etc.
    - break out of the exercise rut - 10 min of a new workout or exercise

  • micaroo4
    micaroo4 Posts: 3,822 Member
    LTGL suggestions
    -Record exercise points on the day they are performed
    -Strength training
    -Stretching
    -Meditation
    -Journaling
  • teelabrown7
    teelabrown7 Posts: 952 Member
    Iโ€™m planning to add more strength training and cycling to my walking routine this summer.
    I will incorporate Isagenix Intermittent fasting days using Cleanse For Life. I have had success with this before.
  • 130StrongerEachYear
    130StrongerEachYear Posts: 478 Member
    ๐Ÿ˜ŠYour 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!

    Being part of a challenge does increase my motivation. I am nearing the end of my weight loss journey with only 4 more pounds to lose. I have lost 61 pounds in the last 13 months. Yet now that means I am in an even harder place. I have lost weight a couple of times before...but then I slip back into old habits and gain it all back and more. Being part of the challenge will keep me from losing focus on staying healthy. I want to learn how to maintain myself in a healthy body.

    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!

    For this challenge I will be searching for and finding ways to keep the weight off for the rest of my life. How to continue the Intermittent Fasting, Healthy Keto eating, and regular exercise that has helped me get almost to my goal weight...I will be there soon...and then how to adjust to maintain that weight without letting things slip. I am certainly open to ideas. ๐Ÿ˜Š

    Have a Great and Healthy Day!!!
  • walkintofit
    walkintofit Posts: 4,501 Member
    I come back every challenge for the friendships and challenges. Its at times lonely at my corner of the world.
  • cmoak54
    cmoak54 Posts: 1,501 Member
    edited June 26
    ๐Ÿ““Your assignment:
    Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT!

    ๐Ÿ˜ŠYour FIRST Countdown Activity for this Challenge will be for YOU to decide where YOU would like to go on YOUR Seasonal 5% Journey.

    My 5% Summer Journey Goals
    General:
    1) Get back on track! Continue to develop the "Good" habits and push the "Bad" habits out of my life. Habits are how one acts without thinking about it, if I keep falling off the track it means the Good habits are not solidly ingrained yet!
    2) Lose weight, not gain!
    3) Maintain daily blood sugar in normal range.
    4) Stop comparing myself to others, which can lead to frustration and confusion! Read and learn from others experiences but focus on what works for me. Define my plan based on my needs and abilities. I know what works for me, just stick with it.


    Specific:
    1)Track all foods daily (preferably prior to eating meal).
    2) Keep calories below 1500/day.
    3) Eat foods that do not spike blood sugar above 150. Daily total carbs below 100.
    4) Active Zone minutes on FitBit 25/day minimum = 150/week
    5) Check in on MFP threads daily.
    6) Enjoy Life!
  • bbonet3
    bbonet3 Posts: 2,950 Member
    ๐ŸŽˆ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿ‘™๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒž๐ŸŽˆ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿ‘™๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒž๐ŸŽˆ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿ‘™๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒž
    ๐Ÿ““Your assignment:
    Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT!


    ๐Ÿ˜ŠYour FIRST Countdown Activity for this Challenge will be for YOU to decide where YOU would like to go on YOUR Seasonal 5% Journey.

    My 5% Summer Journey Goals:
    General:
    1) Get back on track!
    2) Lose weight, not gain!
    3) Get back to my daily exercise routines, swimming, strengthen, et.
    4) Stay active with team members

    Specific:
    1)Track all foods daily
    2) Walking
    3) Weights
    4) Check in on MFP threads daily.
    5) Meditation
    6) Enjoy Life!
  • vtoria3
    vtoria3 Posts: 3,948 Member
    LTGL suggestions
    -Record exercise points on the day they are performed
    -post to chat
    -complete day eating within calories
    -calculate BMI
  • Ceriusly1
    Ceriusly1 Posts: 6,303 Member
    Bump
  • lavalily
    lavalily Posts: 2,473 Member
    I plan to continue walking (using my walker), to strengthen my left leg. I have nerve damage and my trainer is trying to strengthen what nerves are left so my walking improves.
  • Marileighea
    Marileighea Posts: 1,662 Member
    edited July 6
    Reality: I have been on the skids for a bit over four years, both mental- and physical- health wise. I have pretty much maintained my 70 lb weight loss achieved over 10 years ago. Dh and & I are currently recovering from Covid. It appears that the road is opening up.
    My goal is to work my way back to a near-90 min exercise routine, beginning with at least 20 min per day
    My goal is to continue eating fewer calories than I need, for a weight-loss of 1 lb per week
    My goal is to check-in to encourage others and to post on MFP every day
    ๐Ÿ˜Ž
  • gouldsgranite
    gouldsgranite Posts: 4,534 Member
    ๐Ÿ˜ŠYour 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!
    Found these challenges early on (2013) and over the years have learned about how I want to live my daily life more through the challenges than anywhere else. Practicing the LTGL weekly habits have become rote and I began Yoga as recommended by @Dianedoessmiles1 THANK YOU!!!. Yoga practice has taken on a larger role in my daily discipline over the years. Daily practice has been my goal the last 5 years. I've added daily meditation to help me balance a hectic schedule, it also helps reduce my blood pressure, a priority. These two, Yoga and meditation, are things I see doing for the rest of my life. DH (Papashop) and I make fun out of the LTGL weekly challenges. It was a happy shock when earlier this year he asked to join our 5% team. He's enjoying the fitness and LTGL challenges and is a great teammate. The members and teammates are what keep me motivated to come back season after season. These challenges are the MOST POSITIVE and FUN I've ever found online.

  • Patti241
    Patti241 Posts: 4,884 Member
    My Summer Journey Goal:

    1. Lose weight and not gain.
    2. Working on getting back on track with working out at the gym
  • marg750me
    marg750me Posts: 3,606 Member
    I need to focus more on food and restart daily morning walks. For some reason Iโ€™ve lost my GUNG HO it has gone bye-bye. I like the challenge because it keeps me accountable. Start going to the Y for silver sneakers classes
  • azhkrgrl
    azhkrgrl Posts: 693 Member
    ๐Ÿ˜ŠYour FIRST Countdown Activity for this Challenge will be for YOU to decide where YOU would like to go on YOUR Seasonal 5% Journey.

    My 5% Summer Journey Goals:
    Prioritizing my health - exercise, sleep, hydration. I let work take over everything.
    Continue with my meal prep/planning. I am using the balanced plate method and will continue with that, ensuring that I focus on whole, nutritious foods.
    Read 10 pages of a personal development book
    Strength Training
    Self-Reflection: Meditate, Pray, or Journal
    Self-Improvement: Keeping Boundaries, Avoiding Emotional Eating/Bad Habits
    Stretching/Yoga
    Explore a new relaxation technique - breathing exercises
    Making this a lifestyle change.

  • joywilson383
    joywilson383 Posts: 1,695 Member
    My 5% Summer Journey Goals:
    1. Track all foods daily
    2. Meditation
    3. Pilates
    4. Stop stress eating
  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,225 Member
    ๐Ÿ““Your assignment:
    Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT!

    ๐Ÿ˜ŠYour FIRST Countdown Activity for this Challenge will be for YOU to decide where YOU would like to go on YOUR Seasonal 5% Journey.

    I want to focus on one thing in each of three areas - fitness, healthy eating/drinking and stress reduction.
    Fitness: I'm going to get a weight training routine back into place.
    Eating/drinking: My food choices aren't usually too bad, but I've been drinking a lot of wine and it always takes me way above my calorie range for the day. So for the eating/drinking I will give up the wine for the 8 weeks.
    Stress reduction: I'm going to get a meditation practice into place during this challenge.

    Thank you so much for this countdown activity. I always think of these challenges as a way to lose weight, but they really are so much more. Focusing on creating some new healthy habits will not only help with the weight loss, but will give us all a healthier body and mind.


  • BodyTalking
    BodyTalking Posts: 2,822 Member
    I intend to log my food, walk as much as possible, take exercise breaks, meditate, learn about my inner obstacles and changing body, and manage my tasks and surroundings better.
  • Dianedoessmiles1
    Dianedoessmiles1 Posts: 13,975 Member
    ๐Ÿ““Your assignment:
    Countdown & Pre-Challenge Activity #1: INFORMATION and YOUR INPUT!

    Set a daily step goal

    ๐Ÿ˜ŠYour FIRST Countdown Activity for this Challenge will be for YOU to decide where YOU would like to go on YOUR Seasonal 5% Journey.

    I've upped my steps to 4,100 from 3,800. At first it was 2,100 steps!
    Drink MORE WATER!
    Track my food
    Name at least 3 positives things a day/Be Grateful
    Do something fun each day (does not include games on phones)