I signed up for Lindsay and Elle’s Elf for Health 2013 challenge thinking it would be fun, that daily mini-goals would be a great way to finish the year, and that it would be fun to meet some new people. It was all of those things, but I wasn’t expecting it to be such a life-changing experience. Truly – it taught me a lot, as well as changed the way I think and look at things.
Let’s recap: Below is the list of the daily challenges for the four weeks of Elf for Health:
We were partnered up with two elves, one for the first two weeks and one for the last two weeks. I loved both of my elves and it was fun to have someone to email with about ways to approach each challenge. As well as that, we could follow all the elves via the #Elf4Health hashtag on Twitter and Instagram, as well as post in the closed Facebook group.
Right from the start, it was clear our ever-growing community of elves were a very supportive, kind, helpful bunch. But by the second week, when everyone had gotten to know one another, WOW! So many elves opened up and shared with the group. Stories of struggles, of overcoming adversity, of big, scary, brave moments, of realizing something powerful about themselves from a challenge – every day, there were so many moments when I was incredibly moved, and inspired by this group of people. I even made some personal friends from this challenge, which I wasn’t expecting at all.
It was such an amazing success that I have no doubt the organizers, Lindsay and Elle, will be running it again in 2014. I can’t recommend it enough! And a HUGE thanks to those two Chief Elves – they both work full time and put so much work into the preparations and organizing, as well as the daily tasks of keeping the challenges running smoothly. They were wonderful.
Here were a few of my favorite moments:
UNSUBSCRIBE: My inbox doth overflowed. I thought this would be a huge undertaking to clean it up, but then someone in the Facebook group suggested Unroll.Me which is awesome! It scrolls your email for subscriptions and lets you unsubscribe or ‘roll up’ into a separate folder daily.
MAKE-UP FREE: I thought the make-up free challenge was just going to be an average day for me. I rarely wear make-up anyway, so it didn’t cause me any worry to think about baring my face. There was a time when I would have been horrified at the thought of not having a scrap of make-up on in public. I remembered what that felt like, as the photos of bare-faced elves started showing up on social media, a lot of them publicly posted by elves who felt vulnerable and naked with nothing on their faces. The first thing I noticed was that nearly every woman was smiling and they ALL looked beautiful! I got carried away and commented on every photo I found – as a trainer I’m a natural cheerleader and what are elves if not supportive? 😉
WORKOUT BUDDY: See photos above. I have so much fun with him and he loved going for a run with me. ‘Nuff said. 🙂
PAY IT FORWARD: This was a wonderful, feel-good challenge. I started the day by buying coffee for the next few people behind me at a local cafe. Then, I organized for breakfast to be delivered for the staff and nurses of the ICU at our local hospital. Then, despite never wanting to write about it in depth before, I shared why I chose that ICU to pay it forward.
SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE: For this challenge, a group of blogging elves organized a blog swap! I was partnered with Allison from Al the Gal Runs, so I wrote a guest post for her on 5 Ways Strength Training Makes You a Better Runner and she wrote a guest post for me on 10 Tips for Running in the Cold. It turned out one of the elves missed out on her blog swap, so I also ended up hosting Sara from Not So Doughie’s guest post on Meal Planning (and a delicious vegetarian pasta recipe!). Want to read ALL the blog posts in one place? Head to Nutritionella’s Round Up!
What did I learn? I learned it feels good to be vulnerable, open and honest. I learned that charity and giving aren’t reliant on spending money, or writing checks. I learned that confidence and beauty comes from within. Most of all, I learned that there are so many good people in the world, with kind hearts and generous spirits.
Plus, I had so much fun using Pic Monkey!!! 😀
Thank you to all my fellow elves! I loved every moment of our four weeks of challenges, I learned a lot from you, and I will miss you! 🙂 Here’s to Elf for Health 2014!!
Loved this Carly… you were a fantastic Elf and I’m still so proud of you for opening up and telling us your story. Merry Christmas <3
Cori @ olivetorun recently posted…Playing Santa, Flying Frozen Objects, and Happiness.
Aww, thanks Cori! It was so much fun elfing with all you lovelies! Merry Christmas to you, too! xo
GREAT recap Carly! I have to agree with Cori, you were a wonderful elf, and I couldn’t agree more with everything you said about your experience. I’m already looking forward to next year! Merry Christmas!
Katy recently posted…Last Minute DIY Gift Idea: Mustache Mug
Merry Christmas Katy! It was so much fun, wasn’t it? I’m looking forward to next year’s challenge already as well! 😉
Love this Carly! you were a wonderful elf! I loved seeing all your posts & Instagram love!
Allison recently posted…Sew-tastic Christmas Sweater
Thanks, Allison! I had so much fun with it, I loved seeing your Instagram pics too! 🙂
Merry Christmas!!! Great POST!!!!
Laurie recently posted…Success—Gotta LOVE IT!
Thanks, Laurie! Merry Christmas to you, too!! <3
Loved this-one of my favorite posts from you so far. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire us all lady 🙂
Thank you for your continuing forgiveness of being usurped as fave running buddy now that you live on the other side of the country! 😉 GH
Loved following along with the Challenge – after reading this I’m sort of sad I didn’t do it but maybe next year!!!
Merry Christmas!
Kim recently posted…We Baked (sort-of!!)
You should definitely do it next year – it was SO fun and just having one small task every day made it manageable during the holidays, too. Merry Christmas!!
I can’t wait for next years!!!! So nice meeting you and many thanks for sharing my post 🙂
Sara recently posted…this & that
Right back at you, and you’re welcome!! 🙂
I did this the first year they had it. It sounds like the community has really grown! I love everything that you got out of it. Especially connecting with others!
Carla recently posted…Lindsay Loses It!
So many elves, Carla! 😉 You’ll have to do it next year!
I’m SO glad that we connected via Elf For Health! I want your PicMonkey skills, my friend!! Hope we continue to stay in contact! <3 🙂
Lindsay @ Lindsay Weighs In recently posted…On Facing Your Fears
ME TOO! I really love your blog, so I’m glad I found you via Elf-land!! 🙂
I was too late to join Elf for Health 2013 so I watched from the background and told myself over and over that I couldn’t do that stuff. I don’t know if that is where I found your blog, but I have been subscribed for a few weeks and I wanted to let you know that you are an inspiration to others, including me.
I am looking forward to hearing about Elf for Health 2014 so I can join in.
Thank you for sharing.
Ronalee
Ronalee Duncan recently posted…Crowdtap – Hidden Valley® Ranch Fest
Ronalee, you just made my day. 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind words. Next year you should definitely join in! It’s so much fun and the other participants are really supportive and caring. I’m so happy you’re enjoying my blog! xo
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