The challenge begins Monday, August 10th. Here is a guide to help get you started!
Over the Weekend:
Get organized. Read over your entire program. If you need to go grocery shopping, try to get that done so you’re ready to begin on Monday! Feel free to prep your food. If you’ve never done so before, check out my article: 7 Step Meal Prep to Save Time
Create a vision board or journal your goals. Getting your mind in the right place to begin is important! You can print out or clip motivational quotes and images. Pin them on a board and keep it somewhere where you’ll see it on a daily basis. This will help remind you of those goals!
Take a start or “before” picture! You don’t have to share this with the group or anyone else if you don’t want to. But it will be important when it comes to helping you track progress. (Trust me, I wish I had taken more “before” pictures!) Take the pictures in a well-lit room. One from the front, one from the side, and one from the back. I recommend wearing a bikini or an outfit that shows your physique. Wear the same one for each week’s progress picture so you have an accurate measure of how you’re progressing week to week! You can use a mirror and take them “selfie” style, you can use the self-timer on your computer, or you can have a friend or family member take them for you! Try to include as much of your body as possible (try not to cut out entire body parts like your legs for example).
Don’t be shy, introduce yourself to the group! Be sure and tell us a bit about you. Your name, where you’re from, what program you’re doing and what your goals are! It’s a great way to get acquainted and make new friends!
Post your “start” selfie. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to… but some find it motivating to truly put themselves out there. It’s hard to turn back once you publicly commit to achieving a goal!
Take a look at the Challenge Rules.
During the Challenge:
Check in regularly with the group! We are all in this together.
Participate in discussions. Talking about your goals and sharing your progress is a great way to stay accountable. The support group is there for just that… support! =)
Take progress pictures on the same day and the same time each week. If you’re also tracking progress by measurements, or the scale, be sure and note those as well! This way you can see if you’re progressing from week to week! Keep in mind, big changes take time. You won’t wake up after only a couple weeks of working out and eating well to a shredded six pack (unless of course you were already close to begin with). Also remember, even slow progress IS progress… so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see big results overnight. Results vary from person to person… don’t give up on yourself if you aren’t progressing as fast as others in the group. We all change at different rates!
Don’t be afraid to try new things. If you feel like the meals you’re eating have you “in a rut”, ask the group for some new ideas! They will be happy to share yummy, healthy snacks and alternatives for your cravings! If you want some new ideas for cardio or extra exercise, ask the group what they recommend!
If you get off track, don’t beat yourself up. We’re here to listen. Feel free to vent to us… we’ve all had our low moments. That’s what the group is for after all… support!
You’re welcome to post pictures, as well as text-only posts! Motivational posts are encouraged!
