February 8th, 2016 By Chum

Here it is, only February, and by now your new years resolutions have probably come and gone, if you bothered to make any. Sadly, we have been conditioned to either give up on goals way too easily or set such unreal expectations that failure is nearly guaranteed. So, unless you are a freakishly fit uber athlete, or blessed by digestive genetics, then chances are that you are not as healthy as you want to be but likely better than you were before you started working out in the wee hours of the morning.

The simple truth is that physical activity, even rigorous physical activity, can only get us so far on the path towards a long-term healthy state of living. The idea of health which I mean to convey is not of conforming oneself to an image or body type, let me make that clear. True health is much more than pounds, inches, endurance and strength. But honestly speaking, if you are still reading this, then you must ask yourself something along these lines: “Did what I ate yesterday (idea being the past few meals till now) maintain or compete with this temple that is my body and the physical efforts I put into it recently?”

Before we go on, I must disclaim that I am not a professional. In no way am I even an expert in these matters. Anyone who has met me can attest to the facts of my physical acumen. I AM this slow, I’m not sandbagging. I AM this weak, I am not showboating.

The gist of this challenge is nothing new in the F3 community. In fact I am blatantly modifying one our brothers in South Cackalacky used last year. The basic idea is two-fold: one, food is fuel rather than _______ (you fill in the blank but for most it is either idol or idle comfort); two, your body didn’t happen like this over one night, but over much time (true change is a long-term goal). The reason for the format is that most of us live in family units that will collide with this challenge. I figure it’s easier to cooperate with M’s and 2.0s if we tell them something like, “not this week, maybe next week.” Plus since this weekly challenge recurs monthly, it will be a chance to improve over a longer term. With that in mind, let’s get into the basics of the challenge.

Also, allow me to remind you that this Challenge is NOT meant to be a crash diet. It is about re-training your mind and body to eat the right foods in the right portions. For the purposes of this challenge we must accept that FOOD is FUEL — not just a party for our taste buds — and once the tank has what it needs, the rest goes to the spare tire.

Each PAX will manage the details of this challenge INDIVIDUALLY. Some might even share challenge meals or plans, but all pax will receive cooperative support; don’t tempt your brothers to cheat, but rather to succeed.

UPDATE (02/14/16) – Because weight and size are nothing more than numbers, not definitions, the metrics by which each pax chooses to measure progress will also be individual, based on each individual’s goals. If your goal is the fitment of your clothes, then one can measure via tape or rope. If your goal is to make it easier on the guys carrying your casket, then you can measure via scale. I guess you know by now where I fall on that issue.

Also, the details of this challenge are meant to be a baseline, a primer. You might find that you like the results, or even better your M likes the results. There is nothing holding you back from extending these challenge periods. There is nothing holding you back from any goal you wish to tackle with this; nothing, that is, except you.