Weight Loss Challenge
#BreakItBuyIt
***To Enter, scroll to the bottom***
Let’s face it. Many of us in the writing community spend so much time working on our craft that we forget to get up and take care of our bodies with daily exercise. Speaking from experience, it’s easier to pick up a quick and unhealthy meal rather than break from a good idea by cooking a nutritious meal.
I’ve personally let this go on for far too long, and I invite anyone to join in on my weight loss journey.
But why not make it fun?
The Challenge
No Pop - And be wary of other sugary drinks too.
No Fast Food - Healthy options from fast casual dining will not count against you, but kiss those Big Mac Meals goodbye!
No Late Night Eating - If you’re on an unusual schedule, this doesn’t apply. However, if you’re on a 9-5 type of life, call it a quits at 9 pm. Late night snacks can wait for breakfast.
Limit Daily Sweets - We all need a little treat sometimes, but if you pass the 300 calorie threshold, you’ve gone too far. (A candy bar is in the 200 range.)
Exercise Every Day for 30 Minutes - Can be walking to high cardio. Be honest about what your body needs and go for it. We’re all at different levels. Don’t work yourself too hard.
Friendly Advice - Be careful about how much juice you consume. Limit it or water it down. Drink plenty of water. Cut back on your meals. If you usually eat four enchiladas for dinner, make it three. Cutting back with exercise will get you results. If you’re already active, you’ll have to change up your routine or make it more intense. We’re all at different levels. Find what works best for you.
The Penalty
If you break a rule, buy an indie book. It’s not much of a penalty. It’s more of a commitment that helps someone in the indie community and doesn’t cause too much shame. We’re only human.
I will provide a list of indie books from authors entering the contest. You don’t have to pick from the list, but it would be awesome if you did.
Reward
For every 5 pounds your drop, you get an entry into a raffle. What’s in the raffle? There will be books, for sure. I’ll keep you posted as others donate to the cause.
I do understand this puts heavier contestants an advantage, but I’ve done other weight loss competitions before, and there are downsides to percentages as well. This way will be the least complicated. If you only need to lose 5 pounds, God bless you! But this is all in the spirit of fun.
Start and Finish Date
Dec 15th-Feb 9th. Why these dates? That’s how long I’m personally participating, though I hope to maintain a healthier lifestyle afterward. I started this event because I have a special event that I’m losing weight for.
If you’re jumping in late, that’s fine. But the competition will end on Feb 9th.
Honor System
I don’t need to know your starting weight. I’m probably not going to share mine. I’ll post pictures along the way and give updates. I’ll post kudos when people tell me their numbers. If you break a rule, let people know which book you’re purchasing with a tweet. When you meet a goal, feel free to tweet and retweet the success of others. Let’s be encouraging and have some fun.
I’m going to trust what people tell me with their numbers. If someone has an insane weight loss number with no proof (such as a before an after photo), I’m gonna use my best judgement.
Results
At the end of the competition, an email will go out to participants requesting their total weight loss. If you want your raffle entrees, you must respond.
I’ll livestream the result on my Facebook page and announce the results through email, Twitter, and Youtube. A name will be picked from a bowl, probably by my cute niece.
How to Participate
Well, you can enter. You can use the hashtag #BreakItBuyIt. You can retweet and send all kinds of kudos to people keeping up with their diet and exercises.
You can use the hashtag and post resources and encouragement for contestants.
You can also donate something to the raffle! A book. A service. A gift card. You can donate money for shipping costs. Every donor will be a sponsor.
I’ll list sponsors and resources on my website and social media.