Elf for Health 2014

The last 2 years I participated in the Elf for Health holiday challenge put together by Lindsay at Lean Green Bean, and Elle from According to Elle!  They did a rock star job putting together amazing challenges, prizes, accountability groups on Facebook, and stellar encouragement.  I was wondering a few weeks ago if it was happening this year because Lindsay just had a baby!!!  I am so thrilled it is still happening! 🙂

They are changing things up a little this year where you can choose to be paired with another person, or you can choose to do it on your own!  Either way, hopefully this will be the best year yet!  Each elf can become part of the community on Facebook, and also use the #elf4health hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. 🙂 Pretty simple!

I had a BLAST last year, and I even got to meet one of my elves last April at the Cherry Blossom Race!! That was a sweet deal!

Here are the challenge details I pulled directly from Elle’s blog!

What is the Elf for Health Holiday Challenge?
This is a 4 week challenge that will run from the Monday November 24th – December 21, 2013. The challenges fall into 4 different categories: Food, Fitness, For You & For Others. There will be daily tasks, daily winners, prizes, weekly newsletters, and a Facebook group for support.

What’s the best part?
You can be assigned an elf to support and encourage you! When you sign up, you will have the option to be assigned an elf buddy while committing to be their elf in return. Elves are reassigned halfway through the 4 week challenge.

Sounds like a great way to stay motivated and meet new people over the holidays doesn’t it? 
Since this challenge is internet based, anyone can participate… no matter where you’re located! All you need is access to the internet and an email address.

Elf Duties

So what does an Elf do?
As an Elf, you are expected to support your assigned buddy with their holiday health goals and the daily challenges. Elves & buddies will be reassigned after 2 weeks so that hopefully you get to meet 2 new people! You are only asked to email your buddy 2 times per week:

Monday: Send your buddy an email to help them with the challenges for that week. Ideas of things to include/attach: your own personal tips & tricks, inspiring words and/or images, a new, healthy recipe or workout to try.

Thursday – Saturday: Any time during these days, check in with your buddy! For example, ask them if they tried a new recipe, workout, or had fun with any certain challenges. Feel free to tell them how you did with your challenges, too!

Anything more than those 2 emails is up to you but feel free to go above and beyond this to show your support! Just a few ideas: send your buddy Tweets, shout outs on our Facebook Page, email a fun workout you liked or send a hand written recipe or note.

Important Dates

Friday, November 21st at 11:59pm EST: Round 1 sign up deadline
Sunday, November 23rd: Round 1 Elf assignments emailed
Monday, November 254h – Sunday, December 7th: Round 1
Sunday, December 7th: Round 2 Elf assignments emailed; Round 1 “Best Elf” winners chosen
Friday, December 5th at 11:59pm EST: Round 2 sign up deadline
Monday, December 8th – Sunday, December 21st: Round 2
Sunday, December 21st: Round 1 “Best Elf” & participant grand prize winners chosen
If you missed the initial sign up deadline, you can still participate on your own, and by signing up before December 5th for Round 2.

Not clear about something? Email Elle or Lindsay!

Prizes

We have some fabulous prizes from some of our favorite companies to give to the winners.

• 2 prizes for “Best Elf”, one awarded at the end of each round
• 1 grand prize for best participant awarded at the end of the challenge determined by participation, hashtagging and being an awesome Elf.

There will be a daily challenge winner chosen each day. Daily winners will be entered for a chance to win the grand prize!

Best elf prizes will given based on participation and nomination. If you love your elf, let us know so we can consider them for a Best Elf prize. Best Elf prizes will be awarded at the end of each round.

Prizes will be provided by our 2014 Challenge Sponsors:

Prize packs will include 3 months of meal planning from Cook Smarts, beautiful workout gear from Sweaty Betty, hemp seed protein powder from Manitoba Harvest, and more from Swanson Health, Love Grown Foods, Nuttzo, Cabot Cheese, and Sizzlefish.

Due to shipping costs, only USA residents are eligible to win prizes. But we’d still love to have you participate, even if you’re from somewhere else!

Challenge Calendar

Here’s a nice square image that you can save on the lock screen of your phone to remind you of the challenges!

Sounds like fun right?  Well don’t hesitate, sign up here!

Let me know if you decide to join the elf fun!

XO,
Esther
-Chocolate Runner Girl-