IF Challenge Details. Begins Next Monday!
May 6, 2008
Photo by kevinthoule
Sorry for the slowdown in the last week for posts, but been working hard on a few things and now ready to move forward. So…..(drumroll please) I know people have been anxiously waiting…..so here it is. The IF challenge will begin next Monday. Below are all the details and some updates for the IF Life as well:
What is the Challenge
The “official” IF challenge will be a 30 day personal competition for you to get serious results in your life. Although the main focus is on health, fat loss, and building muscle…it can be anything you want to accomplish in your personal or professional life.
What do I win?
Well anyone that gets great results for the health and fitness goals in 30 days and wants to share their story, wins a front page blog spot! You get your very own story told to the world in your own words! If you want to include any pictures you are welcome to submit those as well! Yep….internet fame and glory is all yours! (sorry no fancy cars to give away….)
What do I need to do?
Well, just get a blank notebook and start writing down what you want to accomplish in the next 30 days. From there you can take a picture of yourself from start to end (as most of the time we never notice how great our appearance changes except if we see a past picture). All you need to do is just take action and get serious for 30 days. Anything you want to accomplish is up to you…no more excuses, no more procrastination, no more distractions…just success!
What will be provided for the challenge?
The IF Life will have a DAILY blog post (Mon-Fri) for the 30 day period. (along with some regular blog postings as well) Each day will be something for you to think about and focus on. The action is left up to you to take. I am also in the process of finishing up a quick “Intro to IF” ebook which will be available next week for those new to IF. Here’s the key, it’s FREE to everyone on the RSS or Email subscription! So if you have not already signed up, go ahead and register and you will get the link to the free ebook when it is released next Monday. From that point on it will be available for free to anyone who signs up for the email updates from IF Life blog.
What if I am already doing IF and seeing results?
That’s great! Remember this challenge is for you personally to focus on something new….and go after it. It doesn’t have to be just about fat loss or health…could be something else you have always wanted to do or want to work on. There are no strict rules, only what you can imagine accomplishing.
I challenge YOU to challenge someone else!
Where I am going to commit to making you get results, I want you to find someone around you and challenge them as well! Find someone who always talks about losing weight or getting in shape and never does it. Work together, have a partner/support group, get your work friends involved….make it fun and exciting!
Do you have to do Intermittent Fasting?
No. I am not forcing anyone to do it. Can you get results just eating healthy foods all day long? Sure you can. Do I believe that periods of fasting greatly improve our health and can lead to great fat loss and muscle if done correctly? Of course I do. The manner in which you do or do not use an IF approach is up to you….my goal is to motivate you to get improved health and get serious about it for 30 days. No more excuses….just dedication and a step towards a new and better lifestyle.
Getting Started
For those new or need the refresher course, here’s some top past posts to re-read to help you get a clearer picture of what you want to focus on for the next 30 days:
More IFLife Updates
Some of these may be repeats, but I still want to share my vision and where the blog is heading:
- Submit your success stories - At any point in time, whether it is at the end of the IF challenge or even right now for people who have done IF with great results, email me (mike@theiflife.com) your story and pictures. I will share your personal success stories on the main page/daily blog with all our readers. You will be the inspiration for many to make things happen in their life as well. So send me your stories, pics and whatever else you have to show the world.
- Any Free E-Books will be for those only on Email/RSS feeds right now and in the future available to people registering through the email subscription - Honestly the only way I even know how many people are really on the site are through the subscriptions. So I want to encourage people to sign up for updates so I can personally keep track of how many people are out there (as it continually motivates me to know that there are a growing number of people who enjoy what I am able to share on a weekly basis). Also I would just ask that you do not redistribute the free ebooks but just encourage people to come to the site to download it for free. You can always check back on the site for comments and discussions, as there are alot of great questions and answers that are shared in those as well (and note those will be updated once every 24 hours).
Ok so there you have it….the IF challenge officially starts next Monday. Time to get serious and start thinking about what it is you really want to accomplish. I am going to personally dedicate myself to a short daily motivational/thought provoking post every weekday for the duration of the challenge (that is part of my own personal challenge) to keep you going. I challenge you to not only do this for yourself, but also find someone around you and help improve their life in some way too! Fame and internet glory await you! ….Well about as much fame and glory that my blog can bring you that is. 
Hehe it’s on. I actually started a mon-fri fast yesterday for the next month fllowed by regular CF/Strength trianing to work on some weak areas… i.e. Oly lifts and CFT
Kevin - Head starts are ok by me. Just really focus for the next 30 days and there are probably some amazing things you can accomplish!
Mike, I just found this site from CF. thanks I love this challenge. I’m in for the thirty day haul. I did not understand how to sign up, can you drop me an email please.
steve
Steve - You just signed up! Actually there is no “official” way…just get serious…take some before and after pics…write everything down…and submit your success story when the 30 days are over. Top people will get the fame and glory of being shown on the front page! Of course health is a lifestyle….so hopefully it’s something you do longer than 30 days…but this is meant to be a jumpstart to get serious about getting results.
Hey there - I found your website quite by accident and am excited by this challenge. It’s exactly what I need. Calorie restriction on a daily basis has proven to be too lofty a goal for me, and at 171 pounds on a small boned 5′6″ frame, the fat has gotten out of control. I’ve been doing IF for two weeks now, and feel great. I’ve lost 7 pounds and gained energy.
Count me in!
Donna - Well done! CR (as defined by 30-40% less than your normal daily calorie “needs”) is NOT the goal with IF. (Even though you still do need a deficit for weight loss….but with IF you still get enough good calories, do not lose precious muscle, and can still lose weight all while making it seem easier…not too mention all the other health benefits too). Congrats on your initial loss of lbs and good luck with the challenge!
Hi Mike. I really enjoy your blog. The timing of your challenge is perfect for me: I’ve been a low-carber for six years, but a two-month rut of sloppy eating, partying, and neglect of exercise has left me with a good 10 extra pounds and a face full of zits. No more “tomorrows” or “Mondays”; I’ve started right now!
Kristine - Way to go on getting started! Yep….no more excuses, just time to get serious and get results! (PS acne is usually a sign of inflammation issues….usually due to too much sugar and/or too many omega 6s…IF can help with inflammation as well as cleaning up that diet!)
I won’t be IF’ing at this point - or maybe REALLY IF’ing in a super-intermittent sense, eh? - but I’m up for a 30-day challenge to improve health & fitness in general.
Desserts and snacks on S-days only; some exercise or exertion, at least, every weekday and as many weekend days as I can; get my thyroid checked out, figure out what I can do (if anything) to get off my antihistamines, and get my basic overall FOOD intake somewhat lower.
In other words, reduce the intake of crap and increase the output of energy. you’re on!
Tirzah - Quality of food comes first in my book. Clean up the foods, get rid of sugar and other processed foods, start eating protein with every meal and higher fat intake (healthy). If you want to do 1 fast a week (18-24 hrs), that technically can still be IF (just your version of it)….fasting does help with many issues and it is ok to take it slow and steady. As long as you are making positive progress that is what counts!
Ok so I need to get back on track. Count me in too. Started today actually at 16+hrs IF. Nice slow day, hanging out at the house, lifted/rowed some, relaxed on the porch swing, and did some cooking. SLOWING down is good:)
Slow and steady wins the longterm lifestyle race.
I’m in!
I’ve told Mike - but I guess this is a good place to tell the group!
I am doing the Alternate day diet - MWF
and I will throw in 1 fast from after each Sunday lunch to the Monday lunch - which probably is less than 24 hours, usually. May throw in some 18 hour fasts, as necessary - especially if lunch was big. (My best 18 hour is to eat breakfast and lunch and then fast…)
And I’ve realized that it is really best for me if my biggest meal is at noon on a Up day…
MWF are my low cal days
If I need to adjust, I will - but I think this is good. Big Sunday lunch today (Mother’s Day) - so my fast began this afternoon.
Mary
Mary - Just remember, make sure to get enough quality calories in to keep the metabolism (and other hormones going strong). Remember too many fasting days can go the other direction…so when in doubt start slow and make sure the quality of foods are what they need to be (as IF on junk foods will not get you lasting results). If you need to take a day off to eat calories, then do what you need to do. As long as you are making continual progress that is what matters…and just remember it’s your personal lifestyle and there are always factors to adjust. I know you will see great results.
Mike, I like the idea of the 30 day challenge. I’ve been doing IF since last November…usually two 24 hour fasts each week. My problem isn’t sticking with the fasts, it’s what I’m eating when I’m not fasting. Maybe the challenge can help break that bad habit. Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t go buy that pint of Ben and Jerry’s tonight.
I’m looking forward to the ebook and checking out your site further.
Your IF Challenge could not have come at a better time!!! I’ve had great results with IFing in the past. However, lately I’ve been not following IF and have gained a huge amount of weight. I feel horrible, cranky and exhausted. I am puffy and sore everywhere. What’s worse, the weight gain is keeping me from doing things that I love to do. So, like I said, great time for an IF Challenge!
Tuesday: I awoke this morning with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, knowing how wonderful IF makes me feel. I also have held on to the knowledge that a mere 72 hours of IF radically changes my body, diminishing my aches and pains. Dr. Eades says that digestion is an inflammatory process, so it makes perfect sense that fasting helps greatly decrease inflammation. Thank goodness for that!
My biggest challenge comes at the weekend, when I work nights. But I will adapt and overcome! I think I need to think outside the box on this one.
Thanks for starting this challenge. I think it’ll go a long way toward getting me back on track and healthy!
*darkgardyner*
DG - The key is making it work for your particular lifestyle…so you can be consistent and you can continue and live the life you want doing the things you want. Try also some fish oil to help control some of that inflammation. Good luck!
Thanks Mike!
I signed up for the challenge and am getting the postings, but haven’t gotten a link to the e-book on Intermittent Fasting. Could you please send it? Thank you.
Brigit - Having issues with the mail delivery system lately (if you noticed it wasn’t delivering for a couple days…and I don’t know why), trying to fix that. Should have it straightened out by Monday. Hope you are seeing good progress so far! Please feel free to post any questions you have on here as well and will do my best to answer back.
Hi Mike
I was away in Mexico for 6 days- I only partially fasted once there!
Back on track now.
Mary
Mary - Wish I was in mexico for 6 days! Fasting can go with you wherever you want it to go…as I now love skipping breakfast and getting on with my day. Keep up the great work.
I’m coming into this late, but I just found this site and am excited to try the challenge! I have the LSATs on June 16th and a weekend at the beach with friends after…both excellent motivation to see just how much i can accomplish in just under a month.
and want to start IF on Monday!
I’m running my first marathon this sunday (a life goal i’m hoping to check off - assuming there are no unforeseen problems come sunday
JP - Never too late to make good lifestyle changes! Go for it and just focus on the important things to get to your goals.
I’m still hanging in there with the challenge! This has been such a motivator!
I also managed to find a way to incorporate IF into working the night shift, which has gone a long way toward keeping me on track for the rest of the week.
Hope you are all fairing well and enjoying If. Have a great day!
DG - Way to go! Remember to make IF work for YOU! Results are just a matter of consistency….so anything you can do to make a healthy change to your lifestyle will give results for a long time coming!
Did the e-book issues ever get ironed out? Haven’t seen it.
see http://projectfit.org/iflifeblog/2008/05/22/if-review-and-report/
rewriting as we speak…..
I NEED to get in shape for the summer! I’m not far from my six pack goal, but I seem to need alot of motivation to stick to my diet plan. I’m in the habit of avoiding junk foods and going low carb for a long period of time and then binging on anything I can find. Do you have any advice for me as to how I could change this bad habit?
Brandon - Try not to look at it as something you need to do for short period of time, as diets don’t work. Make serious lifestyle changes and you will get results…as time does fly. Dump sugar….it’s not your friend. Find other things to enjoy instead…like fresh fruit. Also note when you are binging…see the trend…are you stressed? Staying up late? When does it happen….usually starts when you are stressed and the body raises cortisol…which tells the body to crave more sugar. Remember, you have FULL control of what you eat….you are not a victim to any outside evil plan…only your hand puts stuff in your mouth. Don’t look at healthy eating as depriving yourself of foods….as that will only make you want something you are not eating. Make the mental change and know you want to eat healthy foods for your health and results. Do that daily and the real magic will happen and you will never have weight issues again.
Too late to get in on this?
Jenessa - Never too late for you to challenge yourself for 30 days. Go for it!