“If you haven’t got your health, then you haven’t got anything.” – Count Rugen (The Princess Bride)
2010 was a banner year for fitness, personally. I had set a goal to hike the entire John Muir Trail — plus some — and backpacked over 230 miles in three weeks, culminated by summiting Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states. In my training for this, I climbed many major peaks in Southern California, even starting a website devoted to covering the trails around Los Angeles and Orange County. I published a training guide used by many to prepare for Mt. Whitney, called the Six Pack of Peaks.
I accomplished it all, and when I returned from the JMT, I was promptly swamped with work. I immersed myself in work, and though I still walk, hike and run, I’ve been woefully inconsistent about it.
And so my girlfriend and I have joined Richard and Elaine Gjonovich’s Fit Challenge at San Clemente’s Outdoor Fitness Adventure Club. I did one of these challenges a couple years ago and it really helped me get back on track with exercise and healthy eating. Now after a busy winter, it’s time to come out of my work-induced hibernation and kickstart my health again.
The Fit Challenge is a five-week program designed to help you get a jump on your fitness goals. It begins with a body composition assessment and nutrion plan. The first 3-5 days you follow a “detox” nutrition plan — no caffeine, no sugar, no processed foods or crap. Lots of “detox soup,” chicken breast, brown rice and mint tea.
My plan is to follow this until I exhaust my current pot of soup (probably 3-4 days) then switch to Tim Ferris‘ “Slow-Carb” plan as outlined in The Four Hour Body (lots of protein, veggies and legumes… and one “free day” to eat whatever the hell I want).
My current clothed weight is 233 lbs, with a 24% body fat. My goal? 215 lbs and 18% body fat in five weeks. I’ll post again on March 12th with the results.
I realize this post is a departure from my oft-erratic subject matter, but I wanted to throw the gauntlet down. If any of you wants to join me in my crusade for personal health and fitness, drop me a line and we can encourage each other along the way.