Super Summer Challenge: Introduction

14

Posted on May 20, 2013 in Motivation

If you’ve been around here a while, you know that I’m a huge fan of self-imposed challenges. Being a goal-oriented, competitive person, making healthy living into a game (that I can win!) every now and again really seems to help keep me on track. In the past, I’ve done challenges to build healthy momentum going into the holiday season and help build up my strength after training for a half marathon. I’m not always 100% successful, but the challenge format always does always light a fire under my bum, and I’m a big fan of anything that gives me an extra dose of motivation.

With summer right around the corner, I figure now was a great time to set myself up with a challenge. Summer can be so full of commitments and obligations that I can really struggle with making sure to take care of myself during the warm weather months. This summer is going to be different! I’m going to challenge myself to turn the focus inward and make this the healthiest and happiest summer I’ve ever had. And, go figure, just in time for my big three-oh birthday!

Enter the Super Summer Challenge!

From June 1st to August 31st, I’ll be focusing on me. In regards to this challenge, that means dividing my overall health into two distinct areas I’d like to work on: body and mind. For each of those two categories, I’ve made a list of dozens of tasks (plus a few that overlap). For completing each task on the list, I get points. The goal? Get 10,000 body and 10,000 mind points before Labor Day.

Some of the tasks are super simple and have low point rewards (like getting 10 points for doing a plank). Some will give me a lot bigger rewards, but they’ll be little more difficult or time-consuming (like getting 500 points for taking a whole day off from social media). Since we’re all individuals, you’ll also have the option to make your own custom point lists to have a more customized challenge.

I created this challenge for me, myself and I, but, of course, I would love if you guys played along! And to make it even more enticing, I’m partnering with my good friend, and professional health and fitness coach, Coach Krissie of Committed Coaching to lend a hand! Yay!

For free, Krissie will be sharing her expertise in motivation, goal-setting, and self-reflection during the challenge. And, if you’re looking for a little more umph!, Krissie will be offering extended coaching services for a fee that go hand-in-hand with the Super Summer Challenge. You can always participate in the challenge for free, but if you need the extra push of an adorable birdie with a Southern accent on your shoulder gently motivating you to be great, Krissie is your girl!

Krissie and I have a lot of fun plans to make this challenge great (like a peer-to-peer accountability partner system and lots of pretty, free printables). We’ll be launching the challenge sign up this upcoming Thursday, May 23rd. Keep an eye out for that post with more information about the challenge guidelines, printable downloads, and how to sign up for accountability partners and Krissie’s extended services.

Oh! And start thinking about what rewards you’ll set for yourself throughout the process. Think big! This is a long challenge (all summer!) and if you’re successful, you should reward yourself handsomely. I know I am! More on that later in the week.

Have an awesome Monday, friends!

Do you tend to get through summer healthfully? Or do you struggle like I do? Are you going to join us in the challenge?

things i’m digging…

9

Posted on May 18, 2013 in Lifestyle

1. Alba Dry Coconut Oil SPF 15.

We’ve been on the search for a more natural sunscreen and this one is our favorite so far. It’s actually a tanning oil, which means it still lets you get a little bit of a summer glow, but the SPF 15 prevents the damage of a sunburn. It smells amazing. It goes on easy and light. And it lasts all day. Literally, all day. I can put it on an 8am and go work out in the garden until sundown without reapplying (granted, I don’t burn easily, but still). It’s not as natural as some of the sunscreen options out there, but it’s the best option I’ve found so far, especially considering the low price.

2. Wet ‘n’ Wild Party of Five Glitters.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but this nail polish is my absolute favorite of all the bajillion glitter nail polishes I have in my stash. It’s cheap (like $2 cheap), the colors go with everything. It goes on smooth. And my new favorite development? It’s pretty much indestructible. Which means I can layer it over as a top coat and it keeps kicking even after a day out in the garden pulling weeds.

3. The Indianapolis 500.

If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I’m kinda obsessed with all things sports. I love a lot of sports—basketball, football, hockey, but my absolute favorite is IndyCar racing (yes, even above college basketball, but it’s a close race). The Indianapolis 500 is like Christmas in May. Seriously. It’s my favorite time of the year. I know a lot of folks don’t get racing (and especially open wheel racing) but I love it. I love the speed. I love the science. I love the tradition. The Indy 500 is my jam. I’ve been streaming practice online all week-long. Love. Love. Love. We’ll, of course, be at the race on Memorial Day weekend. I can’t wait! Worth noting: running around the track at the 2/3 point of a half marathon is not nearly as fun as sitting in the stands, drinking beer and watching cars go around the track.

4. Sun Tea

Growing up, sun tea was something that you could almost always guarantee was brewing on our deck during the warm months. I love sun tea because (a) for some reason, it just totally tastes better than tea made without the sun and (b) it doesn’t require electricity or gas to make, just our good friend Mr. Sunshine. I mix mine up in a Mason jar with a few fresh mint leaves and a splash of simple syrup. Yum!

5. Our Garden

You, of course, know that I love gardening, but in the past few weeks, I’ve really started to appreciate how awesome it is to be able to grow my own food. We’ve had gardens before (small ones at our apartment), but there is something about the scale and volume of having a 5000+ square foot garden now that really makes me appreciate it. Before, it didn’t really impact our lives all that much. Sure, we got a few awesome tomatoes, but it didn’t really change our buying or eating habits. But now? With this much food being pumped out? It’s definitely changed our eating habits. It is so nice to be able to just walk out our door and pick pretty much any veggie I want for lunch (that is in season, of course). In related news, I’m pretty much living on a diet of salads because our salad fixings are so yummy! Fresh spinach and lettuce and green onions and radishes. YUM.

What are you digging right now?