Summer B.E.A.C.H. Challenge!

New Challenge, whether you have a few inches or a few to many pounds to drop or even if you're just needing to quit making excuses that are holding you back from a healthier lifestyle, this challenge is for you.
Summer excuses, BLAH!!! I keep hearing them and even using them myself; "It's too hot", "the kids are home from school", "It's vacation time", "I have company visiting" and the list goes on and on.

So lets put an end to the excuses of summer by using the B.E.A.C.H. Ban Excuses And Change Habits!

For this four week challenge you will sign up by:

1. Posting here what your "Banned Excuse" is. What "excuse will you commit to NOT USE for the next four weeks.

2. Post the habit you will be changing as a result of not using that excuse.

Example, which is my banned excuse and changed habit:
Banned Excuse: "I dont want to swim for exercise because it messes my hair up. Changed Habit: I will find the time to exercise 20 minutes 5 days per week.

Another example: a friend of mine has this banned excuse; But the kids want to go to DQ to get a blizzard and I can't just sit there and watch them eat. Her changed habit: get the no sugar added orange creme bar and save herself over 500 calories and beam with pride instead of guilt afterwards!

These are just mine and my friends examples but I know there are many excuses out there we all use and many options we could change in their place. Try to chose an excuse you use frequently that you feel could be standing between you and your goals.

3. Be certain you can commit to a 4 week challenge. There will be weekly trivia and weekly mini challenges in which you can earn your team and yourself points.

4. Report by Saturday at noon to your team captain regarding your weigh in, inches (only if you chose to report those) and your point tally. Your point tally will be very simple and I will explain the point tally once we have our teams.

5. Be honest with yourself. Everyones interpretation and evaluation is different. I will be asking you to rate your daily effort from 1-5 and it is up to you to determine how much effort you put forth into B.E.A.C.H. I will explain the tally in more detail after establishing teams. Please remember that we are all here for the same reason and we are ultimately only responsible for ourselves and our own achievements.

6. Once I or your team captain notify you about your team, add all of your team mates to your buddy list and check in as often as possible to help encourage, empathize, give kudos and meet new buddies!

IMPORTANT: Send this link to any of your pals you think might want to join in the challenge. This is going to be a quick and fun challenge and it will be over in 4 weeks. The deadline to enter is Saturday July 19th, 5 P.M. EST. Teams will be announced Sunday July 20th and the challenge will start Monday morning July 21st.

****There will be weekly mini challenges, trivia, internet scavenger hunts and a recipe hunt and challenge****

This will be a fun and motivating summer challenge. I will do the best I can to keep it simple and effective. Please feel free to email me with any suggestions.
And remember...B.E.A.C.H.! Ban Excuses And Change Habits!

OK, ImLuvvd, great idea. Sign me up! I have a conference from July 17-20, which will be full of restaurants and other distractions, so I'll definitely be ready to focus starting on the 21st.

I'm in. In need of some motivation to stay on track.
Can't wait to get started.

Don't know if we need to respond for a second time but I want to do it!

Sign me up! I need a good kick in the pants to get me off my butt!

I"M IN!!!!!!!! Planning on starting a new foodplan monday so timing is PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm in! So, here is my B.E.A.C.H.

Banned Excuse: I'm too tired to exercise.

Changed Habit: On days that I feel too tired to exercise, I will commit to walking 10 minutes. Then, if I'm still too tired I'll stop.

Usually, by the time I've invested 10 minutes, I won't want to stop there.

I'd love to join in. Sounds fun, so count me in!

Sounds fun, count me in

Banned Excuse: "It's too late now, I'll get up early tomorrow and go to the gym/exercise/walk the dog, etc."


New Habit: "Exercise is relaxation and a wonderful way to de-stress from the day" Therefore, taking care of myself MEANS exercising everyday.

Alright:

Banned excuse: The veggie drawer is empty so I can't eat good filling and flavorful summer vegetables.

New Habit: UP, OUT, and to the MARKET with my basket every single day of this challenge, for summer at its source!

Would love to join!!!
Banned excuse: It is too hot to exercise
Changed habit: when it is too hot outside I will do water aerobics or indoor exercises!

Remember,B.E.A.C.H.,for me to add you to a team roster. I will contact you all if you dont post it but PLEASE make it a little easier on me and post your BEACH. Post here your Banned Excuse for the next 4 weeks and what your Changed Habit is going to be.
Thank you so much for the participation, you all are AWESOME!

I can't wait to start!

Banned Excuse:"I will exercise later"

Changed Habit: Some form of exercise atleast 5 days out of the week. Doesn't matter if its a hardcore workout on the bike or the simple Pilates for Flexibility DVD, there must be something for 5 days out of the 7 each week.

Banned Excuse - Too tired to exercise

New Habit - Some form of exercise 5 days per week that is at least 15 minutes in duration.

Very well put my friend!!

LOVE the simplicity and FUN designed, it's gonna be a blast!

Okay... BEACHin'! lol

Ugh... lets see, banned excuse for me...

"It's too hot to exercise"... I can now hop in a nice pool to cool down, so I need to JUST DO IT! Even if it's just my pt exercises... but would like to get the cardio in the pool, too!

Hey now, I'm "beachin'" LOL

I want to join too! =)

Here is my B.E.A.C.H (love the name!)

Banned excuse: Calling it "quits" and "giving up" for the day once I eat something bad.

Changed Habit: If I have a weak moment and eat something that shoots me over my points, I'm not going to look at it as a failed day, I will continue to watch what I'm eating for the rest of the day.

i'm in!

Banned Excuse: Too tired to get out of bed in the morning and into the gym.

Changed Habit: Going to force myself to get up a 1/2 hour earlier to get to the gym and do weight training for 20-30 minutes, 3 times a week

Wow, very impressive BEACHes!

I love the challenges, I really need this right now. I need to get my chart moving downward again, it's been stuck too long.

Banned Excuse: Summer visitors and trips, eating out and company arriving to feed and entertain...causing me to get off track.

Changed Habit: I will plan ahead when company comes, fix healthy meals regardless of how bad "they" eat at their homes... (my food is GOOD) AND stick to program in restaurants. If a restaurant has NO good choices, i will eat a salad and make up for it with good foods at home or the market (if traveling). Might even take a cooler with some healthy proteins in case of pizza parlor's or KFC.