January 11th, 2018 By Guinness

Click here to listen to ChickenCoop on the HEC

Welcome to:
The Winter 2018 MECA HEALTHY EATING CHALLENGE (HEC)

Start Date: Monday Jan. 15th (Weigh in to post your initial weight here: https://goo.gl/qQuEx8)
HEC Kick-Off Workout: Saturday January 15th at UNCC Parking Lot 7 at The Mineshaft.

The Healthy Eating Challenge (HEC) is a 6 week opportunity for any interested F3 Pax to focus on healthy eating in addition to reducing weight. Research shows that group/team/pax support contributes to weight loss. See here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18592983/  The HEC has contributes to greater health and weigh loss for many F3 pax over the last few years. Research shows that most weight loss programs work when the program is consistently followed. We are providing a program but the most important thing is to choose a program and stick with it, as difficult as that may be. You may or not lose weight this time around but consider a longterm approach with future HEC’s. (Click here for the HEC chart)

(You have the option of following the HEC program below or to follow your own adapted program. The program below is the suggested program)
Week: 1
The following are a list of foods that are prohibited for the duration of the six week challenge:
1. Fried Food
2. Fast Food (inc. Pizza)
3. Processed snacks like Potato Chips, Candy Bars, Etc. (a post will be coming with good alternatives)
4. Desserts
5. Sodas or Sweet Tea
6. Cheeses (including shredded, feta, or slices. Get it off your sandwiches and salads)(Cottage cheese will be allowed)
7. Cream Based Sauces/Dressings (This Includes Fat Free Options for Ranch, Caesar, Alfredo, Etc.)
This leaves many food and drink items available – no one will go hungry! Just eat/drink better.
You will receive ONE free pass per week – this could be a steak dinner, a pizza, hamburger, etc. – no carryovers though, the pass can only be used that week – try to use your weekly pass in moderation.
Each week after the first week the following foods will be removed etc week for the duration of the challenge:
Week 2 – Red Meat
Week 3 – Breads
Week 4 – Pork
Week 5 – White Starches (Potatoes, Pastas, White Rice. We’ll talks about substitutes)
Week 6 – Dairy or Things Cooked in Butter

How To Join The Fall 2017 HEC
1. HC below or HC on MECA Slack.
2. You will receive an invitation to join the MECA private Slack channel called: #winter2018hec.
3. Then you can log into a google sheets doc to track your daily weight over the 6 weeks here.

Just like posting in the gloom, this is a 6 week commitment to your health and well-being. I wish you the best!
– Guinness

The Healthy Eating Challenge

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