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2004/05/22, 07:08 AM
This was devised a coupel years ago on menshealth.com by a member there inspired by a bet two of us had. People havesiad they have felt and look a world different after the 52 days.
Rules
You score yourself on 4 goals:
Goal 1: How many 1/2 day "blocks" of clean eating
you do (see http://forums.menshealth.com/thread.jsp?forum=5&thread=66900 for an explanation of what Clean Eating is)
Goal 2: How many weightlifting sessions
Goal 3: How many HIIT/Cardio sessions
Goal 4: The goal of your choice - Weight goal,
Athletic goal, Personal Goal
Scoring Details
Goal 1: 1/2 days of eating clean
During the 52 days there are 104 days of eating
clean. We split the day into two "parts" so that if
you "stray" at lunch you are not inclined to "mail
it in" and destroy dinner.
Doing more than 85 days of eating clean is
extraordinary, so don't set yourself up for failure.
At the same time, don't make it so easy that you can
accomplish it with little effort.
First timers - 80/100 is a good goal.
It is not as easy as it sounds. You have to be
focused.
Note: The lowest goal you can set for 1/2 day blocks
is 65.
Goal 2: Weightlifting (resistance training)
3 times per week will give you 23 sessions
For first timers, 15 sessions is a reasonable goal
Note: The lowest goal you can set for goal 2 is 10
Goal 3: HIIT/Steady State cardio/Long Walk
Anything that gets the heart rate up and the blood
pumping.
First Timers - 10 is a good goal
Second timers - 15 - Just that little extra "push"
Third Timers - 20+
Note: The lowest goal you can set for goal 3 is 10.
Goal 4: Personal Goal
Most guys choose to lose weight.. but you can do the
challenge if you are trying to bulk and actually
gain weight too! This goal can be anything: fit into a
particular size of pants, walk the dog, read a
couple times per week, compete in a race...the
possibilities are endless.
CAREFUL: Don't set yourself up for failure with a
big weight goal (more than 2 lbs of week can be
considered unhealthy).
SCORING
Make 1 goal - give yourself a bronze medal
Make 2 goals - give yourself a silver medal
Make 3 goals - Give yourself a gold medal
Make 4 goals - Gold +
Make 4 goals and 95 or more clean eats - Platinum
Make 4 goals and 104 clean eats - Platinum+
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Please only do this if you are serious! Again, this
is in no way connected with Men's Health or Rodale.
Those of us who "run" the challenges do this on our
own time.
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Frequently asked questions:
1. How do I participate?:
A) Sign up on 52daychallenge.com, you have till midnight the day before the challenge starts to get your goals in
B) Keep track of your progress
C) Post your progress every once in a while on the
boards (some people do this every day)
2. Why 1/2 day blocks (for the eating), why not
count the "whole day"?
We split the day into two "parts" so that if you
"stray" at lunch you are not inclined to "mail it
in" and destroy dinner. For me it helps me to "fight the battle 5 hours at a time."
3. Is there really a defined structure for Clean
Eats?
No, it is what you want it to be. If you have no
clue on what is healthy and how much you should be
eating, read this:
http://forums.menshealth.com/thread.jsp?forum=5&thread=66900
Some guys will follow the advice in that post
exactly, some will be more strict, and others will
just have caloric goals. But don't short-change
yourself and convince yourself that if you are not
eating a whole pizza in a day, then that merits
clean eating. It is supposed to be a challenge.
4. If I eat clean all day and then have a glass
of wine or a small piece of my son's birthday cake, is
that clean eating?
It all depends. Does the glass of wine or piece of
cake fit into your caloric or macronutrient goals
for the day? If so, then count it as clean. If not, then don't and enjoy it.
5. May I join halfway in the challenge?
No, you only join during the enrollment period.
However, you can still eat clean and keep track of
your goals on your own, but we ask you not to report
in on the official daily post. Some guys find a
buddy within the forum or elsewhere and do the
accountability between themselves over e-mail.
6. Can I start the challenge "later" or put it on
hold for a few days because of "events" in my
life?
No, NOW is the time to start getting serious about
your health. True, things come up unexpectedly, but
that's life. Just do the best you can.
7. Who starts the "daily threads"? This is a
great thing that our "community" does to "kick" each
other. 40+ will be co-ordinating the post host
duties for the Classic 2003 challenge.
Note: Please be considerate of the post host
and allow him until 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to
start the thread. If he is missing in action, then
feel free to start the thread. But if you start the
thread, it becomes your responsibility for the day.
8. What about Tuna Thursdays, QOTD (Quote of the
Day), etc?
Officially recognized and supported.
9. What do all these acronyms mean? Where can I
find out more information about all this fitness
stuff?
Check out these posts, then SEARCH the forum, then
lastly, ask questions if you don't find your answer:
Belly Off FAQ:
http://forums.menshealth.com/thread.jsp?forum=5&thread
67413
General FAQ/Link Page:
http://forums.menshealth.com/thread.jsp?forum=5&thread
57258
Coulditbe Link Page:
http://forums.menshealth.com/thread.jsp?forum=1&thread
50637
Clean Eating:
http://forums.menshealth.com/thread.jsp?forum=5&thread
66900
10. Why 52 days?:
Because it is now tradition and it is what
Determined
(the creator of the challenge) decided in the
original challenge.
11. How do you report results on the daily
thread?
What is the format?
When reporting your results, this format works well:
CE: 82/84/95
Lifts: 12/21
HIIT/Cardio: 12/21
What it means:
CE = Clean Eating
82/84/95 = 82 half-days achieved out of
84 possible, 95 being the goal
Lifts = Weight Lifting (resistance training)
12/21 = 12 sessions completed, 21
sessions being the goal
HIIT = High Intensity Interval
Training
Cardio = Cardiovascular Exercise
12/21 = 12 sessions completed, 21
sessions being the goal
Spreadsheets
* The 52 Day Challenge Tracker is a handy way
to keep track of your clean eating and workout days
and report your results on the board.
http://52daychallenge.com/tracker/52DC-Spring2004.xls
A big thanks to Determined for creating this
challenge, and to all those who have carried the
torch since.
I am not trying to lose weight (5'10 and 160) but.. mor people inshape givesme more in incentive to get and stay in shape . Y'all should do this. You wil lthank me when its done.
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