New Challenge "28 days of eating clean"

[atray87]

I am starting a new challenge which will have some of the same goals from my past abs challenge!
Read below...this is from my blog today!

Our goal is not to have a cheat day..meal.. or even snack.. once you do either you start the 28 days over on your own or just drop out the challenge.. yes this is harsh but abusing our bodies is too
By now I hope yall know what eating clean means .. if not go to the article section of bodybuilding.com and search clean eating.
The only flexible part of this challenge is to decide what day you will start either Feb 1 to Feb 28 or Feb 2 to March 1.. the reason for this is superbowl is Feb 1!!
Now to the exercise part... I want to keep the spirit of the "Abs Challenge" and do 3 times a week cardio and 3 times a week weights. The cardio should be 30 min or more and the amount of days is up to you but you have to get in the workouts.
So who wants to join me... don't be scurred
P.S Yes I know Valentine's day falls in this time frame.. you can still have a nice clean dinner just no alcohol and save those chocolates for March 1 or 2

So join us if you are up for the challenge!!!!!!!
*******First pictures are due by Feb 5 and last pics are Feb 28 or March 1

[autumnarun]

I am in I'll post pics Feb 1st., the eating clean challenge won't be hard but I would like to do it for fun and help out others.

[ShanBL]

I'm in. Where do we post our "before" pics?

[atray87]

We post them on our page but we update everyone on the forum when we have posted them!

[12weekhardbody]

I'm in as well. I do so much better on a challenge that not. Superbowl, schmuperbowl.....I'll start Feb 1!

[atray87]

Singalong peeps .. okay 12week.. you have stepped it up as usual

[size10chronicle]

I'll upload it now. I'm starting now. Not worried about no superbowl eating.

[Lesliejbm]

I'll post my photo's Feb 5, 2009.

[miter]

First post ever.
And I'm in. Feb 2nd to Mar 1st.

[anhill07]

I totally want to do this!! Although I must admit, I am new to it all! I know what "clean eating" is but it's easier for me to get ideas and follow if I have a more strict Idea. Can someone post ideal meals/snacks ? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks!!

[atray87]

Clean eating is basically eating food as close to natural as possible

Here is a typical day for me

meal 1: 2 eggs/egg white with oatmeal
meal 2: all natural greek yogurt with blackberries
meal 3: lean meat such a chicken/fish/turkey/lean beef with a plain baked sweet potato and small side salad
meal 4: can of plain tuna with a green apple
meal 5: lean meat again with a green veggie(brocolli, spinach etc)

Also if you want you can have protein shakes too
Also drink plenty of water.. like 1 gallon(128 ounces) a day!

[pokerdude069]

Originally Posted by atray87

Clean eating is basically eating food as close to natural as possible

Here is a typical day for me

meal 1: 2 eggs/egg white with oatmeal
meal 2: all natural greek yogurt with blackberries
meal 3: lean meat such a chicken/fish/turkey/lean beef with a plain baked sweet potato and small side salad
meal 4: can of plain tuna with a green apple
meal 5: lean meat again with a green veggie(brocolli, spinach etc)

Also if you want you can have protein shakes too
Also drink plenty of water.. like 1 gallon(128 ounces) a day!

that meal plan doesnt sound too yummy, i would fail this competition lol

[atray87]

Hahaha whatever.. I season my food quite well .. the non healthy people are always wanting my food!!

[Alex150]

will post pics feb 2nd!

[JustinSulham]

I have dieted down for several bodybuilding contests, and have been following my diet and eating closely for about 10 years. I have never claimed to be an expert, nor would I ever, but I do feel I have a good amount of knowledge when it comes to diet, and to training!!

I know I eat a lot more than you all do, just because of our size difference and goals alone, but, with that said, I feel you (the general population of this room) will need to be eating a lot more than you think if you want to keep this diet "clean". If you're going to be training during these 28 days, and you don't want to crash right after, than be sure you eat enough!

Oatmeal, sweet potatos, ground turkey, chicken breast, turkey breast, veggies, bananas, natural peanut butter, almonds (unsalted), water, crystal light, rice cakes, brown rice, wheat bread, eggs, salsa, fat free milk, fat free sour cream, olive oil, these are all good clean fuel to charge you up for the next 4 weeks of Hell!! There are many more foods out there that work too, just research a bit!

If you're going to be making this commitment to yourself, make yourself the one promise that you will not crash immediately following the 28'th day, just choose one cheat day each week thereafter...

Good luck all!!! Hit me up with anything you wanna comment on, or ask!!! And GOOD LUCK :-)

[12weekhardbody]

I am going to start the 28 days on Monday instead of tomorrow (I am going outta town tomorrow just for the day). So I will go Feb 2 until March 1. I am gonna make me out a plan of action this weekend. I hope everybody has got their game face on.

[ShanBL]

Hi everyone,

I posted my "before" pics on my bodyspace. OK, don't mind the last two pics in the bunch...they were meant as jokes for a couple of my BB friends

Also, my birthday is Feb 2, so since I really want a piece of cake, that would make me have to start the challenge over again, so I'm going from Feb 3rd to March 3rd.

[The-Fire-Fish]

I'm in!
I eat clean anyway, but a challenge would be fun!
I'll start today.
Since I look the same as in my default photo, can that be my before photo?

[12weekhardbody]

I posted them on my bodyspace today. Starting tomorrow.

[carbonmade78]

I'm in. I have pics on my page from the start of Jan. - I'll post progress pics on Wednesday - but I'm starting today!

Good luck everyone!

[Clarko]

welcome to my life.

[Alex150]

my first challenge on bodyspace...I need this as I head into tax season which for me means long work hours and I may not be able to always make it to the gym..in Jan I lost but gain the same 10lbs..so I am disgusted, but hopeful at the same time...My first official day went really well...I am trying to keep it simple..protein/carb (complex)/fat..and water..fruit and veggies..mainly veggies..two fruits per day!

[STIMMS]

Sounds awesome. Im in

Just in time for spring break :-)

[atray87]

Good Evening folks... I am still sick but the diet was clean today.. I will start back with weights tomorrow and pray by the end of the week I can add cardio in and not have a cough attack !!

I am so glad to see all of yall joining me.. I will post my pics tomorrow

Good luck everyone.. we can do it!!!!!!

[Carpenter.Jeremy]

Originally Posted by atray87

I am starting a new challenge which will have some of the same goals from my past abs challenge!
Read below...this is from my blog today!

Our goal is not to have a cheat day..meal.. or even snack.. once you do either you start the 28 days over on your own or just drop out the challenge.. yes this is harsh but abusing our bodies is too
By now I hope yall know what eating clean means .. if not go to the article section of bodybuilding.com and search clean eating.
The only flexible part of this challenge is to decide what day you will start either Feb 1 to Feb 28 or Feb 2 to March 1.. the reason for this is superbowl is Feb 1!!
Now to the exercise part... I want to keep the spirit of the "Abs Challenge" and do 3 times a week cardio and 3 times a week weights. The cardio should be 30 min or more and the amount of days is up to you but you have to get in the workouts.
So who wants to join me... don't be scurred
P.S Yes I know Valentine's day falls in this time frame.. you can still have a nice clean dinner just no alcohol and save those chocolates for March 1 or 2

So join us if you are up for the challenge!!!!!!!
*******First pictures are due by Feb 5 and last pics are Feb 28 or March 1

Starting in May i will definetly have to give this a shot. But right now I am enjoying partying too much and i am not ready to stop drinking on the weekends. *I KNOW THIS IS BAD lol but i just love it so much =(

[anhill07]

Alright well this is my second day of "eating clean" I just wanted to post what I've been eating and see if I could get any other input ect. since I am new to this.

breakfast :Omlet with 1/8cup cheese and green peppers
banana

snack:8 almonds and another banana before workout

GNC whey protein shake

dinner: 5oz grilled chicken breast and cup of broccoli

snack: orange

I am always cramped for lunch on tues/thurs but i am working on thinking of something easy to pack up and bring along in between classes.

as far as workouts go: i've been lifting for 20 min or so, various leg/arm lifts then doing 30 minutes of cardio.

Does anyone have any suggestions, either diet or workout?
thanks! and good luck to everyone else!

[carbonmade78]

Originally Posted by anhill07

Alright well this is my second day of "eating clean" I just wanted to post what I've been eating and see if I could get any other input ect. since I am new to this.

breakfast :Omlet with 1/8cup cheese and green peppers
banana

snack:8 almonds and another banana before workout

GNC whey protein shake

dinner: 5oz grilled chicken breast and cup of broccoli

snack: orange

I am always cramped for lunch on tues/thurs but i am working on thinking of something easy to pack up and bring along in between classes.

as far as workouts go: i've been lifting for 20 min or so, various leg/arm lifts then doing 30 minutes of cardio.

Does anyone have any suggestions, either diet or workout?
thanks! and good luck to everyone else!

I'm not an expert by any means, but that doesn't look like enough food to me..

Are you tracking your calories/macros?

[sicofthis]

Ill try to clean up my act alittle.

[bodybytwa]

Ugh, I'm in and subbed. Before this came into my world, I was thinking about eating clean for Feb. I remember how wonderful I felt when I did this before. How good my body felt inside.

It is day 2 and I did struggle last night, but kept it good. I had chocolate Bare Naked granola but I would consider that OK.

My other BIG project for Feb - Put ME on My To Do List! And in the top 3! And the dentist this AM didn't count. ME as in working out. Damn if I'm not the last item just about every day. I have been told by my co-conductor, that I am driving this train. And if I go "off track," so does the rest of the train. I guess the co-dude isn't ready to take over!

I am doing the little competition with my friend thru her church where we track our fruits, veggies and minutes of exercise daily. At the end of 10 weeks, those teams of 4 who have the biggest numbers wins. I've done this before and it really keeps my eating clean and getting in those minutes. I'm thinking of implementing it at my church. After looking at peope this past Sunday, boy do we need it. And it's not just Michigan "winter fluff!"

Gotta get somethin' to eat!

Monica

[gonzagadukefan]

I am considered a "newbie" (12 months or less) to weightlifting, bodybuilding, etc. I will do days eating clean, but I am on my rest week. From all the advice on bodybuilding/fitness sites everyone says to take about a week off every 3-4 months.
I just came off my mass program and will be starting my cutting program on Feb. 9th. I'm 6'5", around 270, with a bodyfat of around 33% (going down from what it used to be). I am fortunate enough to work in the same organization as a former state bodybuilding champ who's wife is a figure competitor. Here is the diet he has me on now since I told him I was going to start my cutting:

6:00 Weights w/20 minute cardio session
8:00 Six whole eggs w/Olive Oil (around 1 Tbs.)
10:00 Two scoops Protein Drink w/25 almonds or 1 Tbs. natural PB
12:00 Same as 10 am
1:00pm 30 - 40 min. Cardio
2:30 Eight oz. chicken breast w/spinach (about a cup or two) w/Olive Oil.
5:30 Eight oz. Fish (salmon or tilapia, or flounder, or cod, etc.), salad and Olive Oil.
8:30 Two scoop protein drink w/25 almonds or 1 Tbs natural PB.
This diet comes out to around 2800 cal's, 155 g's natural fat, 55 g's carbs, and around 305 grams protein.
I also drink a gallon (or close to it) of water a day.
On Saturday (or one day of the week) he advised me to eat whatever the heck I want in order to reset my metabolism.

The two weeks I have been on this new diet (I hate that word) my belt notch has gone down about one notch.


My weights are one body part a day with three exercises per body part with 3 sets x 8-12 reps. It takes me about 40 minutes on average to complete my weights.

The reason I'm posting this here is because I like to get different opinions and he is not available all the time for every question I have-busy guy you know.

Question: Should I increase my reps to cut as I feel my cardio is o.k.? Wednesdays I usually take off, but have started doing cardio on those day (morning and afternoon). What is the 5x5 program? In other words what is the best thing to do to cut/"shred"? Since my bodyfat is at 33% I want to get it down to 20% by June 1st-is that reasonable?