PALEO CHALLENGE

When it doubt, flowchart it out.

Alright, friends, the latest iteration of our 30-Day Paleo Challenge (v7.1), where we all try to eat clean for 30 days. Here are the rules, whats, wherefores, and whys:

1) All participants must submit a "BEFORE" photo - front and profile - by 11:59 PM on Monday, Feb. 1st. An "AFTER" photo must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 1st.

2) We have TWO Divisions in which participants compete for prizes - Rx'd (i.e., all-in, super strict Paleo, Whole30-style) and Scaled (i.e., OMG it's too hard to go super strict but I want to try). Here are the details on the divisions:

RX'D DIVISION:
We continue using TheWhole30 as our master template of what you can and cannot eat during the 30 days. The Whole 30 eliminates ALL forms of sugar from our diet (including unrefined sugars such as maple syrup, agave nectar, and pure cane sugar, and artificial sweeteners or added sugars). Also out of contention: alcohol, legumes (including soy, hummus, and peanuts), grains (including cereals, corn, and potatoes), icky oils (such as peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil), and dairy (including milk, cheese, and whey, but NOT eggs). It's 30 days, not forever. Jeez. It will do the body good to stay strict for the whole 30 days. Incidentally, we chose TheWhole30 because the dos and do nots are pretty cut and dry; however, make the BEST choices you can with what is available. Read food labels and make the best choice for your needs and your budget.

SCALED DIVISION:
For those just learning about Paleo and those that are hesitant about going so strict with their diet, this division is for you. In this division we ELIMINATE/REDUCE consumption of the following foods/food groups:

• ALL BREAD/BREAD PRODUCTS, PASTAS, and BAKED GOODS (e.g., sandwich bread, wraps, muffins, cookies, rolls, bagels, crackers, chips, pretzels, breaded and fried items like most restaurant appetizers, croutons, pasta, casseroles, pancakes).
• ALL SOFT DRINKS & SPORTS DRINKS (e.g., this includes all sodas, colas, iced tea, lemonade, Gatorade, Powerade, artifically-flavored waters, fountain drinks - basically anything you would find in the soda/bottled water aisle at the grocery store).
• ALL ALCOHOL (e.g., beer, wine, liquor, malt liquor, moonshine, homemade wine or beer).
• RESTAURANT/PREPARED FOODS (e.g., HyVee lunch counter or al la carte offerings, sit down restaurants, fast food, gas station food, take-and-bake, take out, delivery).

For more information about Paleo and why certain foods are forbidden, read our previous posts on nutrition here, and in particular this post.

3) PRIZES! The Warrior with the most points in each division at the end of 30 days wins a FREE MONTH of Unlimited CrossFit. T-shirts are up for grabs for our runner's up.

4) We're keeping track of compliance using electronic score sheets that you must submit via email. Simply enter the number of servings of each No-No food consumed and the spreadsheet will automatically calculate your daily, weekly, and grand totals.

RX'D SCORING:
***DO NOT EDIT the RX'D THE SPREADSHEET IN THIS LINK. SAVE A COPY (File > Download) and use the SAME sheet for the ENTIRE challenge.***

• Each week, everyone starts with 100 points. Therefore, if you play it perfectly, you will end up with 400 points at the end of the challenge.
• Points are deducted for EACH SERVING of foods on the "Do Not Consume" list. ***ONE SERVING = per consumption incident (e.g., one cupcake = 1 serving of sugar + 1 serving of dairy + 1 serving of grain; one restaurant hamburger with bun = 1 serving of grain + 1 serving of icky oils)
• Subtract 5 points per serving of legumes (including soy, soy products, hummus, and peanuts), dairy, and icky oils (peanut, soybean, vegetable, canola, etc.).
• More points are deducted for alcohol, sugar, and grains consumption. Subtract 10 points per serving (e.g., beer, whiskey, vodka, honey, stevia, maple syrup, chocolate, any kind of "-ose", bread, cereals, CORN, POTATOES, quinoa, millet...you get the idea).
• It is possible to get a negative points total for the week.
• THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT.
• Example: 1 serving of yogurt = minus 15 points (dairy + sugar). 1 serving of plain breaded BWW wings = minus 15 points (grain + icky oils). If you add sauce to that serving of wings = minus another 10 points for the sugar in the sauce. 1 serving of salad at a restaurant with dressing = minus 10 points for the sugar in the dressing.

SCALED SCORING
***DO NOT EDIT the SCALED SPREADSHEET IN THIS LINK. SAVE A COPY (File > Download) and us the same sheet for the ENTIRE challenge)***

• Each week, everyone starts with 100 points. Therefore, if you play it perfectly, you will end up with 400 points at the end of the challenge.
• Points are deducted for EACH SERVING of foods on the "Do Not Consume" list. ***ONE SERVING = per consumption incident (e.g., one cupcake = 1 serving of baked goods)
• Subtract 5 points per serving of restaurant/prepared foods (including a la carte items from Hy-Vee, take-and-bake items, and anything from within a fast food establishment, etc.).
• More points are deducted for consuming alcohol, bread/bread products, pastas, baked goods, and soft drinks. Subtract 10 points per serving (e.g., beer, whiskey, vodka, bread, cereals, cookies, etc.).
• It is possible to get a negative points total for the week.
• THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT.

5) Score sheets are due VIA EMAIL by 11:59 PM on the following dates for each week of the challenge.

***LATE SCORESHEETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.***

• 11:59 PM on FRIDAY 02/05
• 11:59 PM on FRIDAY, 02/12
• 11:59 PM on FRIDAY, 02/19
• 11:59 PM on FRIDAY, 02/26
• 11:59 PM on TUESDAY, 03/01

***

You are on the honor system for reporting your daily points.  

Cheaters are NOT welcome. Period. 

If there is any question about the integrity of your score sheet, 
we reserve the right to disqualify you.***

6) This is a VOLUNTARY Challenge. The best results will be seen in those that commit 100% with no option for quitting or cheat eats/drinks.