| If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed me using the hashtag #Elf4Health these last few weeks. If you were wondering why, Elle at NutritionElla and Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean organized an amazing challenge group of about 1000 "elves" looking to improve their lives this holidays season. There were a total of 28 challenges, most of which I participated in, but I put together these highlights of my favorite challenges - ones that you can try out all year round! Also, I'd like to take the time to give a shout out to my personal elves these last four weeks - they were full of tips and great ideas! Check out their blogs:
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Unsubscribe from emails
Do you find that you spend a lot of time just deleting emails from your inbox? Sometimes without even reading them? Use unroll.me to unsubscribe from SO MANY emails! When I entered my email address, I was able to unsubscribe from 63 newsletters/store emails with the click of a button!
Track your water intake
Aim for half your body weight (in oz). If you weigh 150 pounds, try to drink 75 oz of water.Make it through two 32 oz water bottles and you're almost there! OR mark your water bottle like this to set yourself little goals throughout the day.
Physcial challenges make you realize what you're capable of
There were a few physical challenges we participates in, and each one helped me push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of.
| 1) 100 Burpee challenge. Do 100 burpees throughout the day. Modify as needed, just check out this video for ways to do this. Here are a few ideas for tackling this challenge:
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| 2) Run a mile as fast as you can. This one is pretty self-explanatory. You can walk it if you need to, or maybe split the mile up into walk/jog intervals. Either way, no matter your fitness level, everyone can push themselves JUST A LITTLE HARDER for just one mile! |  |
| 3) Hold a wall sit as long as you can. If you're a wall-sit pro, make it more challenging by holding a weight. |  |
Eat the rainbow
| When you eat foods that are a variety of colors, you're guaranteed to get a variety of nutrients, minerals and vitamins in your diet! Here are some ideas:
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Clean out your fridge and pantry
| Take some time to deep clean your fridge. Pull everything out, clean the shelves and drawers, throw away expired items and then put everything back, with healthy snacks at eye level! Then move on to your pantry. Throw away expired items, organize the shelves and consider donating some food to a local food pantry as a bonus challenge! Here are a few articles with more info: |  |
Closet Cleanup
Take some time to go through your closet. Clean up the clutter by removing what you don't wear - consider donating these! Not sure what to give away? Put all of the hangers in your closet on the rod backwards. Once you wear and wash an article of clothing, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the right way. In a few months, you can easily see what you wear and what you don't!
Meal Planning
It's not secret that meal planning helps you get through the week, while sticking to your nutrition plan. Take time on the weekends to prep and plan you meals to set yourself up for a great week!
Set a new fitness goal
| This one might be my favorite! If you know me well (or read my blog enough), you know I'm a huge fan of goal-setting when it comes to improving your health and fitness. I haven't set my 2014 goals just yet, but I'm certainly thinking about it! Some ideas:
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How can you challenge yourself in the upcoming new year?
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