Summer is quickly coming to an end, which means it’s time for our 2014 Fall Nutrition Challenge!! This is a completely optional (but highly recommended) event. We’ll host a kick off meeting tomorrow – Thursday, August 28th – at 6:30pm for those who are interested. We apologize for the late notice. If you can’t make it, that’s okay, just read this post carefully and talk to John or Nikki with any questions.
Important Dates:
- Kick off Meeting: Thursday August 28th, 6:30-7:00pm
- Start date: Wednesday, September 3th, when you wake up!
- End date: Wednesday, October 1st, after your final performance test!
Requirements:
- Sign up at the box under the Level 1 or Level 2 challenge (details below)
- Commit to healthy eating, following your chosen Level, for the entire 4 week period
- Complete the performance test at the beginning and end of the challenge. We will run it as the daily WOD on 9/3 and 10/1, or you can do it at each week’s make up night (9/4 and 10/2).
- Body Measurements (optional) – We recommend waist (at the belly button) and body weight at a minimum. You may also choose to do hip, arm, and leg.
- Daily Food Log (optional) – Record everything you eat and general quantities. Be honest! This will not be submitted but serves as a valuable resource if you have questions about quantity/quality of your food during the challenge. We are more than happy to give you feedback on your log, and help you if you start to notice that you are low on energy, hungry all the time, or not seeing results.
Competition Details:
- We will pick 1 advanced winner, 1 beginner winner, and 1 spirit reward. (Advanced means you’ve been at ICA at least a year; beginner is at ICA less than a year.) Prizes will be awarded! We will select the winners primarily based on performance gains, but we will factor in the body measurements as well if you completed them.
Level 2 Challenge: Eat like a Caveman
- Level 2 participants will strive to eat 100% Paleo for the duration of the challenge. We define a paleo diet as eating meat, eggs, fish, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds. (No grains, no legumes, no sugar, and no dairy.) You should focus your diet on quality sources of protein, nutrient dense carbs, and lots of leafy greens. Aim for a balance of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Ideally you should eat only unprocessed foods that have no labels… but if something has a label you must read it and be sure there are no hidden “non paleo” ingredients! Read the detailed guidelines HERE.
Level 1 Challenge: Gluten Free and Sugar Free
- If you’re not ready to go strict Paleo, you can choose to participate in the Level 1 challenge. Your goal is to avoid all gluten and added sugar. Unlike the Level 1 challenge, dairy is permitted as are many grains and legumes. Try to eat a balance of protein, fat, and carbs, and read the labels of everything you eat! For detailed guidelines, click HERE.
This Post Has 9 Comments
Awesome…Crepes from Finland are not listed as a cheat. ;-). This sounds fun.
I am dreading this challenge, but looking forward to it at the same time. I went pretty off course this summer with my nutrition, so this is the kick in the butt I need to get back to paleo! The dairy (cheese and icecream) will be the hardest for me… (Nikki)
Ditto for me. I’ve been a slacker the last 8 months. I need to change.
Me too. I can be on point for a few days…but then it’s back to old habits – pizza and beer 😉 I’m hoping with a whole community of people that are going to suffer through sugar withdraw along with me…it will keep me honest.
I’m so excited for this!!
I”m in Mexico for the first week of this, can I join in when I get back?
Daria, yes of course! We’ll run you through the performance test at the first available opportunity once you return. And is recommend tacking an extra week on the end so you get a full 4 weeks, like we do!
I’m in and very excited for this.
I’ve been wanting to try clean eating for a while. No time like the present. Can’t wait to participate!