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The John P. Health Challenge Starts May 1, 2011! Prizes and Glory Await You!!!

US Army Golden Knights
John P.

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workoutWell, it’s that time again! The John P. Health Challenge is BACK! The health challenge was invented by my friend Jack Finlayson, CEO of Layered Tech, but I kind of took it an adapted it.

The first thing I can tell you is that this program works! You can see my documented results from the first time I did this publicly, and hundreds of people have done the challenge with me in the last couple of years and seen fantastic results. So if you’ve been looking for an excuse to get in better shape – wait no more! Especially since this costs absolutely nothing!

Here’s How it Works

  • First of all, participants are all on the honor system. You can choose to participate or not, but if you are disqualified then you have to admit it and you aren’t eligible for the prizes that come at the end.
  • There are some exercise requirements.
  • There are some dietary requirements.
  • It lasts for 8 weeks (ends June 30, 2011).

At the end of the challenge, whoever has shown the most notable improvement wins! So, starting Sunday, May 1, 2011, we’re going to be kicking off the health challenge, complete with glory and prizes! You’ve got the rest of this month to prepare, but then the progress begins in May! (Just in time to get your beach body ready. :-)

Personally, I am starting at 176 pounds and 32″ waist. My main goal is to get down to around 160 pounds a 30″ waist. Even though I’m 6′ tall, this is my most ideal weight where I feel best. I also want to make sure that I get my 6 pack abs back.

Here are the Rules

  1. Almost completely eliminate sugar from the diet. No more candy, Coke, or other sugary drinks. In fact, nothing but water! One Coke and one candy bar per week are allowed.
  2. Decrease food portions by 40-50% for all meals. Instead of eating whatever looks good, stop eating after you feel full. (Overall, I want to consume half the calories I used to.)
  3. Snack all you want, but only fruit or nuts are allowed!
  4. Exercise every single day. This doesn’t mean long exercise daily. It means frequent bursts of exercise. Pushups and situps as many times a day as you can squeeze them in. Whatever you are capable of, just lots of it!

Now, some of you are going to have to follow a couple extra rules if you decide to go along with me here.

  • If you are a big beer drinker, you are going to have to treat it the way I treat Coke. Cut it out! Only one or two per week!
  • If you are a smoker, I would prefer to see you quit altogether, but at a minimum you must cut down by 50% during the Health Challenge.

Special Guest Trainer!

US Army Golden Knights

US Army Golden Knights

You might ask, what’s prompting the health challenge right now? Well, my friends over at the US Army Golden Knights have taken me on multiple tandem parachute jumps. But now they want to train me to skydive by myself.

There is just one catch! Lt. Col. Joe Martin says I have to be Army Strong before I can jump on my own, so he’s going to personally oversee my training! (This scares me greatly…) So, every day he’s going to be Tweeting exercise commands to me, and I have to tweet him back as soon as I’ve done what he says.

I’m pretty sure he’s going to take special delight in “overseeing” my training. (Hopefully it won’t be as bad as USMC boot camp.) If you follow Col Martin and myself you’ll be able to observe, and prod me along if I don’t get it done quick enough. Or, if you think your up to it, maybe you can try and follow along as well!

I’m not really sure what he has in store, but hopefully I’ll be able to keep up…

My Progress

As I’m going through the health challenge I’m going to report back right here on my progress pretty regularly. Keep an eye on this area for updates later.

How to Join the Health Challenge

Hey, you really should join us on the Challenge! Here’s what to do:

  • Leave a comment below and let me know if you’re in!
  • Drop your Twitter ID in the comment and I’ll follow you back (maybe you can follow each other too), as long as you promise to stick with it and give us all updates as well! Motivation is key people! – UPDATE: Cali Lewis had a great idea and created a Health Challenge Twitter list! Ping her on Twitter to get added if you are joining in.
  • You can give updates here in the comments on this blog, or via Twitter, or on your OWN blog, but your progression must be documented in order to be eligible for any sort of prize at the end.
  • Use the #HealthChallenge hashtag whenever you tweet about it so we can track it!!!

Prizes!

Not that getting in better shape isn’t enough of a reason to do the Health Challenge… but since we’re going to be having some fun getting in shape we might as well have some prizes to go along with it! We’ll be giving out AT LEAST the following at the end of the Challenge:

  • Most Engaged: An awesome bluetooth speaker system to pair with your phone for traveling with your music and podcasts!
  • Biggest Loser: An awesome new digital camera to the person who loses the most weight. But you have to document it!
  • Best Cheerleader: A Wicked Laser (the World’s Most Powerful! NOT A TOY!!!)
  • ZOMMs!: Three ZOMMs to the runner up cheerleaders, so make sure you encourage everyone!
  • And we’ll come up with more…

The Livid Lobster staff will choose the winners, but you guys are clearly in control of who gets the prizes!

Comments

  1. I have been looking for a challenge like this. I just heard about it on Cali lewis’s podcast and I’m excited to begin. I use my Nike plus shoes/ iPod to track walking so this is going to be a great tie in

  2. How’s everyone doing with the challenge??

    Fas above pointed out that we need to be posting our updates here as well as Twitter, so here goes…

    Last week I lost 4 pounds. Feeling better, although very sore! :) In addition to doing most of @GKJoe’s daily challenges, I tried doing a variety of hour long cardio and weight spurts. I just got back from upping that to 2 hours tonight and I feel even better!!

    We want to hear your stories! How are you feeling so far?

    John…how are YOU doing with the challenge?? ;-)

  6. I don’t have a twitter account, but I’m in. For those of you that have iPhone (or idevices) there are apps to help track calories, excersie, weight, etc. I use MyNetDiary, but have also used Calorie Counter from fatsecret.com. I’m sure there are others. This is a great way to monitor caloric intake and track this challange. Good luck to all.

  8. Count me in too. Just heard about it on geekbeat; since it’s 1:30am here, I’ll kick it off tomorrow ;)
    Guess I’m one of the few vegans in the bunch?
    Looking forward to some extra motivation.
    Mario aka @r8r

  10. One day on and i feel great (of course I totally forgot to comment here). lol.

    my twitter name is @TheKrishna. Hit me up

  11. I’m in. Started a serious calorie counting and regular exercise regime last week, so I’m off to a good start. could use the encouragement Cali.

  14. Twitter:Juan_Lauro

    Hello I am staring this the fattest I have been in my life 197 pounds I an 5′ 6″

    Oink oink

    Goodbye beer goodbye joy will be ever meet again !!!

    :)

  17. Count me in. My goals are to reduce my spare tire as much as possible. I’m also going to follow along with GKJoe as much as possible.

  20. Ok, I’m in! Starting first thing in the morning for sure!

    Do I have to give up my beloved Diet Coke?

  21. I’m in 100% starting off 101KG, ultimate goal 78KG. Started with a 8KM ‘run’ this morning, cant wait to see how I do :)
    Please add me to your list and, if you feel like it, follow me too :)

  23. I am starting at 245 lbs and my goal is 220. I started by doing a 2 mile walk daily and some resistance workout.

    @Cali Lewis. Could you add me to the list.

  25. I’m in! Been working on the C25k running program in preperation for a string of 5k’s in July. I work a rotating 2 week schedule at a remote site and sometimes it’s tough to get motivated each time. I picked up a bike trailer for my 1.5y/o and plan to tow her to and from daycare when home. The toughest part on the food list will be giving up the soda and popcorn I enjoy when going to movies but a bottle of water will suffice. I currently use DailyBurn’s website and iphone app to log my workouts and progress. It’s very inclusive. Currently 235lbs, 6’4″, 38waist. Goal is 210, and 34waist.

    Here’s to us all becoming loosers.

  26. Add me and the wife into the program. @jbaluch. I’m starting at 190 and want to get to 180

  27. I just heard about this challenge a day before the start of it so I have basically no time at all to prepare but I am going to participate as I am sick of having an “internet gut”.

    So good luck all and have fun. I hope to. :)

  29. I’m in.

    I was about 285-290ish a year ago. Lost about 15lbs last summer and was maintaining that. Recently I returning to the US after 4 months traveling for work, i was stunned to see i was down to 244 lbs. But being back in the states has caused me to slip into so old bad habits. Already back at 250lbs. I would love to loose another 20-30lbs and this seems like a good start in that direction.

  34. I’m in.
    Twitter: @aarontbutler
    Height: 5’11”
    Weight: 183

    Looks like a great way to lose some unproductive weight and kickstart my training for a 15K race this summer!

  37. I’m in! Giving up soda is cool since I drink water mostly already but beer and sweets might be tough lol

  40. One more to add to the list — Oh dear, what have I done?!.

    I’m 6 foot and 16 stone 7lb, so plenty to loose. Holiday booked for early July so perfect timing.

  41. I’m in!
    7 weeks ago I was at 217 and now I’m at 192! I want to keep on going down and I think I’ll do the Tweet exercises right along with you! I have my first 5k run on May 6 so this will be a great thing all around!!
    TID: clntryan

  43. I’m in.

    I have been doing something vary similar over the last 6 months. No junk food, No sugar, good diet and exercise. I have become a bit slack over the last couple of weeks. This should help me get a second wind.

  44. 5’10 173lbs. I’ll join up! Be needing to kiss sweet sweet beer goodbye soon. Sad days

  45. As we are techies App recommendations please. For iOS I have TargetWeight & WeightTrack, neither are quite what I’m looking for.

  46. I’m in. In fact @BigBadEds_Scale started Tweeting Yesterday at 282lbs. Looking to get to 255 before second honeymoon mid July. 6’4″
    No Coke you say…

  47. I’m in, cutting out sugar will be good for me anyway because i am diabetic, but i also want to get in shape so yeah definately in
    ID icvamps

  48. I’m in!!!! Have been trying to motivate myself and that just doesnt’ always work that well. Peer pressure in a positive way can be a good thing. My twitter handle is irockon15. Oh man… this means it’s only 5 days away…

  49. I’ve decided to use my long unused tumblr account to good use for this challenge. My tumblr is http://jishosan.tumblr.com.

    My goal is to jumpstart my process of weight loss. I’m Type 2 Diabetic, so I need to cut some crap out of my diet, and drop some pounds. I’m 6’4 and 288lbs, with a final goal weight of ~205-210. i’m certainly not dropping 78 lbs during the challenge, but I think 25-30 might actually be doable. 288 is my ‘resistive’ weight (I have to double or triple my eating to push my weight above this level), so my body is already at the point where it wants to drop pounds. It’s just waiting on me to do the work. :)

  52. I’m in, John. Going for a bit of weight loss but really just overall fitness. You say you want to cut 50% of your calories. I’m curious what kinda calorie intake you have overall.

    I think it would be nice to include daily vitamins along with 5000 IU daily Vitamin D3(cholecalciferol) to the list. Coming out of the winter we’re all really low on D3 and I’ve seen how much sun you get (or don’t get). You should go get blood work done before and after the workout to really show you how much your diet changes your body. It’s not very expensive. It’s not just the outward appearance that’s important.

    Here are links for good vitamins. 5000 IU Vitamin D3 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Vitamin-5000-Softgels/dp/B0032BH76O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303745247&sr=8-1

    GNC Mega Men Sport: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4033435

  53. I am in. I am going to start on the soda now so i can kick the caffeine addiction buy May 1st. follow me on twitter NewMacUser. I just followd both the Col. and John.
    My goal is to drop the 30-40 lbs. i have gained over the past 5 years when i left public service and to go from a waist 36″ pushing a 38″ to a 34″ pushing a 32″. This is jut the push i need. Does anyone have a #hashtag yet?

  54. Twitter ID: gleefulgirl

    I’ve been wanting to kick the sugar habit, start to exercise again, AND lose weight, so this is great! I’ll also drop coffee while I’m at it and drink only green tea (unsweetened), which is supposed to be a superfood, so hopefully that will help me increase my health.
    As a bonus for me, it’ll be great to do it with this group, since I’m an avid follower of all you do!
    Is anybody considering using an app to track your progress, too?
    I don’t have a weight or size target — I just want to stick with it! My goal is to incorporate any new learnings or habits into my daily life after June 30.
    Already sweating at the challenge, but looking forward to it!

  55. I’m in. It worked last time but I stopped shortly after the challenge. My goal this time is to continue well after the contest is over. I hover around 215-225lbs. 165 would be better for my 5’6″ frame.

  57. Twitter: bmcgrain

    I’ve dropped from 202 to 170 already, but have just been hovering in the low 170’s for 6 weeks now and can’t make the progress I need. Would like to hit and easily maintain 165. Already working out 4-5 weekly (treadmill, situps, rowing machine, and some resistance machines) … this should push me over the top. Missing bread, but not Coke or Pepsi!

  58. As the newest member of the Livid Lobster family, and the one who liiks like they could use the most weight loss, I accept this Health Challenge. You’ll get to see the results on the show, week by week!

  59. I’m in , was going to last year but , being the champion procrastinator , I had to wait in order to hold that title another year . But , its time someone else take it over !

  60. I am always in. Joined last year too but John needs to update this post rather than twitter so that we keep up.

  61. @jishosan

    I’m in. 8 weeks, eh? I needed a motivator to get me jump started again anyway.

  62. I’m in. I’ve been trying to find some inspiration to restart my work-out plan. Now this is just what I need. Thank you.

  64. I’m in! I’ll post results and starting weight, etc on my twitter.

    ID: TheSchwaaz

  67. I’m in! I’ve already been trying to eliminate sugar — I’m on day 3 and MAN it is tough but I think sugar wrecks my system and so for health reasons I need to lay off of it. Your challenge will help me feel like I’m not alone. Until June 30th, eh? Since I don’t want to blog or tweet about this, I’ll just post my updates here. Start: 135 lbs, 5’5″. (Anything else I should include?) Thank you for this post!