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Elf4Health 2014

November 17, 2014 by Lindsay 39 Comments

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Hi Friends!

Elf For Health is back for another year and it’s time to kick things off!

Three years ago Elle of  According to Elle (formerly Nutritionella) and I started this challenge to promote health and wellness during the holidays, a time when healthy habits tend to fall to the wayside. In years past, all challenge participants were paired up as elves to support and encourage each other during the holidays.

We recognize this is an especially busy time of year and not everyone can commit to having an elf, so this year you’ll have the option of having an elf assigned to you, or participating solo. Regardless of whether you want your very own elf or choose the solo route, all elves are welcome to join our awesome community on Facebook, as well as by using the #elf4health hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

Here are all the details about what the challenge entails and how to sign up!

elf4health headerY2

 

Introducing the Elf for Health Holiday Challenge! This is a four week challenge that will run from the Monday November 24th thru 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.

And are you ready for the best part? You’ll have an elf to support and encourage you! When you sign up, you will also be committing to be an elf for someone in return. Over the course of the challenge, you will have two different elves.

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.

So what does an Elf do?

Elf Duties

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: 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
  • 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:

  • Sign 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:
elf4healthsponsorgraphic2014

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.

** Unfortunately, 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!**

Still with me?

Challenge Calendar

If so, you’re probably wondering what the daily challenges are, right? Here’s a nice square image that you can save on the lock screen of your phone to remind you of the challenges!

challengesquare2014

You can see more detailed descriptions on the calendar below and we’ll expand even more on the challenges in each weekly newsletter. See below for a printable list! Print it out and hang it somewhere to remind you participate, or add it to your Google calendar!

Sign Up

Want to sign up?! Fill out the form below.

We will be sending out a weekly newsletter reminding you of the weekly challenges so look out for a confirmation email to confirm your participation & newsletter subscription. If you don’t receive a confirmation email, check your spam box. If you still can’t find a confirmation email, let one of us (Elle or Lindsay) know ASAP and we’ll add you to the list.

Elf4Health Sign Up Form

* indicates required




Do you want to be paired with another elf?

 


Buttons

Did you sign up? If you’re a blogger, grab a button:

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According to Elle

Follow

Make sure you’re following us for the latest updates, daily challenge reminders and winner announcements by social media.

      • Elle: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest
      • Lindsay: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest
Don’t forget to join the Elf for Health Facebook group, too! We’ll be posting pictures and updates there too.
 
[Tweet “Check out this fun, free holiday challenge from @LeanGrnBeanBlog and @EllePennerRD! “]

 

Info Pages

We’ll both have Elf for Health info pages up and running on our blogs if you’re looking for the calendar of daily challenges, the sign up form, important dates etc…
Whew! I think that’s everything! Let me know if you have questions! We’re excited to have lots of you join us for a happy, healthy holiday season!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    November 17, 2014 at 2:59 AM

    totally signing up! this was such a fun challenge when i did it a couple years ago!

    Reply
  2. Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says

    November 17, 2014 at 5:15 AM

    Love this – I soooo wanted to sign up last year and missed it 🙂 Signing up and Sharing!

    Reply
  3. Linda @ TheFitty says

    November 17, 2014 at 6:59 AM

    OH MY GOD I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!

    Reply
  4. traci says

    November 17, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    I totally signed up and shared it on my time line. So excited.

    Reply
  5. Kaila@HealthyHelperBlog says

    November 17, 2014 at 8:15 AM

    Just signed up! Excited to participate!

    Reply
  6. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    November 17, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    Awesome- sharing!!

    Reply
  7. Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says

    November 17, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    Woohoo! Can’t wait! This was so much fun last year!

    Reply
  8. Nicole @ Runs & WODs says

    November 17, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    This is such a great idea!!

    Reply
  9. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    November 17, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    Great idea for this time of year!!

    Reply
  10. Bri says

    November 17, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    This looks like tons of fun!! Always up for a challenge!

    Reply
  11. Nicole says

    November 17, 2014 at 10:07 AM

    Very cool plan. Am totally going to follow along!! Thanks for doing this!

    Reply
  12. Helen says

    November 17, 2014 at 10:12 AM

    I’ve been waiting for the Elf4Health challenge. I participated the last two years and it was fun (well, I used my old blog when I had signed up the past two years). I’m so excited!

    Reply
  13. Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says

    November 17, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    Can’t wait! I participated last year and it was fun to have a buddy.

    Reply
  14. Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says

    November 17, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    LOVE this idea! Can’t wait for it to begin!

    Reply
  15. Patty says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    How exciting! I love this challenge and was hoping it was happening this year again. Thank you so much! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Love this challenge idea!

    Reply
  17. Selena @ The Nutritious Kitchen says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Wow I really love this idea! 🙂 Such a great thing to do during the holiday season and, can’t wait to start!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 5:38 PM

      glad to have you!

      Reply
  18. Katie @ Mom's Kitchen Handbook says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    What a terrific way to keep on track with feeling good through the holidays, a time that is so often gets hijacked by lack of sleep, overindulging and falling off the exercise wagon. I especially like the community support aspect, because that really makes a difference. Sharing this. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 5:38 PM

      thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  19. Diana @sosmallsostrong says

    November 17, 2014 at 12:03 PM

    I’m signed up!!! I love this!!!

    Reply
  20. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    November 17, 2014 at 12:47 PM

    What a great idea! I don’t have time to participate this year, but maybe next year.

    Reply
  21. genevieve @ gratitude & greens says

    November 17, 2014 at 3:13 PM

    Thinking about signing up, this sounds like fun!

    Reply
  22. Athletic Avocado says

    November 17, 2014 at 4:26 PM

    awesome idea! totally love it! I really want to try to participate! Just depends on my athletic season training!!!

    Reply
  23. Farrah says

    November 17, 2014 at 5:22 PM

    This sounds like a lot of fun! 😀 Never tried anything like it before, but I’ll do my best!

    Reply
  24. Marisa | Marisa Moore Nutrition says

    November 17, 2014 at 6:39 PM

    Will be my first time in. Sounds like a fun challenge!

    Reply
  25. Danielle says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:10 PM

    This looked like so much fun last year. Ill be traveling for 3 out of the 4 weeks, but I might sign up anyway. Staying healthy while traveling is kinda my thing lately 🙂

    Reply
  26. Meme says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:12 PM

    Love it! So fun!! And girl, I am impressed that you are doing this with a new baby. Super woman 🙂

    Reply
  27. meaghan karanasios says

    November 18, 2014 at 1:18 AM

    Is it OK of I’m just on Facebook?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 18, 2014 at 9:34 AM

      yep!

      Reply
  28. Emily @SinfulNutrition says

    November 18, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    I’m so excited for this! I didn’t sign up last year, but I am so ready now! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 5:36 PM

      yay! glad to have you!

      Reply
  29. Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says

    November 19, 2014 at 10:49 AM

    I am so glad this has the option to go without an Elf. Both my elf and I kind of struggled last year to stay in touch! Just so hard to make the time. Thanks for that option!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 5:30 PM

      you’re welcome!

      Reply
  30. Alissa says

    November 19, 2014 at 7:10 PM

    I am so excited! I LOVED doing this challenge last year, and I am hoping to get a couple of my friends to do it along with me. Thank you for this great event, and looking forward to making new friends!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 5:29 PM

      glad to have you back!

      Reply
  31. Melissa says

    November 20, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    I’m excited for this 🙂 it’s always nice to have a little inspiration coming your way.

    Reply
  32. Katie Kelly says

    November 20, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    Hi Lindsay!

    I love this idea and signed up!

    I was looking at the challenge list and the challenge calendar and they don’t seem to match up… Nov 27 says Try a New work out but the calendar says share a book or podcast?

    Thanks! Katie

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 4:18 PM

      sorry! it should be fixed now. I forgot to update the challenge image on my page from last year!

      Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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