There has been some chatter in the gym recently about a new version of the Whole30, and the cryptic post on our facebook page last week.  I am here to tell you that it is indeed upon us!  WE WILL BE STARTING MONDAY FEBRUARY 4TH.  This challenge will be more involved, as well as more life-changing than the last couple challenges that we have run.  Additionally, this one will be a true challenge, with winners awarded prizes at the 4 and 8 week marks!
As you can tell from the title, it will not only consist of a 30 day challenge, but also a 60 day challenge (4 weeks and 8 weeks).  Why are we adding a second 4 weeks you ask?  At FIT we preach not only healthy eating and lifestyle changes, but also making those changes sustainable and long-term.  This is your chance to take our encouragement and put it into practice.
While the general template for the eating strategy will follow the Whole30 of challenges past, this time around the goal is to see not just who can make the most improvements to their health, but also who can get the most aesthetic and physique change.  We are challenging all of you to commit to 2 months of clean eating, smart exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes and see who comes out on the other side looking better.
And now for the rules:
Eliminate the following foods:
Grains and grain like foods (including quinoa, couscous, etc)
Legumes (including soy and peanuts – shell beans like snap peas and green beans are ok)
Sugar and artificial sweeteners (Fruit juice is an acceptable sweetener, but nothing else)
Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese, butter [ghee is ok])
Alcohol
 
What we are asking from all of you:
Pre, 4-week, and post-challenge progress photos.
These pictures should be taken in as LITTLE CLOTHING AS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.  This is important.  How else will you tell if you have made progress?

Take the picture without your head, so that we can judge them impartially
The pictures should be submitted to “challenge@focusedtrainers.com”.  The pictures will stay private and be used to judge the winners.
Contribute weekly to the FIT facebook page and/or blog at: blog.focusedtrainers.com
This can be in the form of pictures, recipes, reflections about how the challenge is going for you, or just simply questions.  Tracey and I will do our best to answer all questions the day they are asked.
You can also email your contributions to your trainer, and he or she can get it up on the blog for you.
The goal here is to get as much interaction between all of YOU so that you all get the most out of the challenge.
While you have to enter a name and email address to comment on the blog, the email address will not be public, and the name can simply be a first name (or middle name?) if you are concerned about posting anonymously.
Attend in-person meetings/meals throughout the challenge
We will be hosting events in and out of the gym with sample food throughout the 8 weeks.  This will be an opportunity for all of you to share – in person – recipes, trials and successes, as well as ask us questions directly and see how WE eat with recipes to try.
These meetings will be occurring every OTHER week, sometime during the weeks of:
2/11, 2/25, 3/11, and 3/25
We will be announcing the exact date, location, and format, at least a week in advance so people have time to add it into their schedules.
Submit $30 to the front desk at FIT
This small fee will be used to reward the winners.  We have set up a line item so we can bill you directly for it, or you can bring in cash or check for us.  Prizes will be announced once we know how many challengers we have.
 
OK I think I hit all of the major bullets.  Again, we are starting this coming Monday, February 4th, so get all of your off-limits foods out of the way while rooting for the 49ers.  We are excited to have you join us for this exciting new nutrition challenge.  As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask – either here on the blog, or directly to me at “matt@focusedtrainers.com”
 
Good luck to all of you!  I’m looking forward to hearing about all of your great progress!