Here are answers to the questions I get asked most often. If you can’t find an answer you are looking for, feel free to email me at tiffany@feelgreatin8.com!
Q: Who can join? Is it just for girls?
A: ANYONE can join! I’ve had plenty of guys, a few teenagers, and even a few participants over the age of 80! (I won’t say who, but one past winner was over 70! 🙂 I’ve had participants of all shapes, sizes and beginning weights. If you are ready to get healthy, I’d love to have you join in! I’m not a doctor though, so get approval from your doctor first.
Q: Do I need to be part of a team?
A: No, Feel Great in 8 is an individual challenge. Inviting your friends and family is a great way to find support and motivation, but it isn’t required for participation.
Q: Do I need to be religious, or belong to a certain religion?
A: No! I think of being spiritual and being religious as different things. Feel Great in 8 focuses on strengthening your spirit through gratitude, relationships with loved ones, service, and connection to a greater power through prayer or quiet meditation.
Q: How do you know if everyone is being honest?
A: It’s definitely true that this challenge requires an element of trust. I can’t follow everyone around to make sure they are being completely honest, and even if the winners were based on an easier thing to track like weight loss (like a biggest loser competition), someone could just not eat for a few days to drop the pounds and then win.
There are a few elements of the challenge that I can and do track, like participation in the Facebook group and reporting scores by Monday, but other than that I just have to have faith that people are being honest. And, in my 7 years of doing this, there have only been a few times I’ve had to deal with a cheater. I truly believe most people participating are completely honest.
On the very first day of the challenge every participant is also required to read this post about integrity.
Q: Can I participate if I am pregnant or breast feeding?
A: Yes! As long as you get permission from your doctor first, there is no reason you can’t join in. The requirements of the challenge are fantastic for you and your growing baby. You’re body needs and burns more calories while you are pregnant or breast feeding, so after you calculate your daily calorie needs, add 300-500 to that number. If you notice a drop in your milk supply or if you are hungry, add calories and cut back on the intensity of your workouts. Again, just make sure you clear all requirements and exercises with your doctor.
Q: Do I need to report my weight?
A: No, there is no required tracking of weight or weight loss and no points earned by weight loss in this challenge. Weight loss will be a natural result of your healthy choices, but I want you to focus on how you feel and not just on the scale.
Q: Can I get a refund?
A: The registration fee is nonrefundable. However, if prize money for your group has not been announced I can move your registration to a future challenge. Email me tiffany@feelgreatin8.com.
Q: Am I registered? What group am I part of?
A: If your registration is successful you will receive a welcome email from me. You can also double check by logging in to the website right {here} and clicking on My Challenges. That is also where you can see your group name listed. Because I have multiple groups participating at a time, I assign each group a color name.
Q: I heard we get free treats, is that true?
A: Yes! I want Feel Great in 8 to help you create a lasting healthy lifestyle, not just a short term “diet.” So, with that in mind, you get 2 free treats each week (these just have to fit into your daily calorie goal) and 1 free meal anytime during the 8 weeks (including dessert – and calories don’t count!). Enjoy guilt free! 🙂
Q: What if I get sick during the challenge?
A: If you have a mild cold or other minor illness, just make the small changes you need to in order to continue to earn points. You can choose a milder exercise like walking, and choose a vitamin c supplement to boost your immune system. If you are truly too sick to earn some of the points (i.e. unable to keep food down) go ahead and give yourself the points you would have earned if you weren’t sick. Just be honest in reporting only what you would have earned, and get right back going as soon as your body will let you.
Q: Can I fast for spiritual reasons?
A: If you are fasting for spiritual/religious reasons (not just skipping meals), you are excused from 2 fiber servings, 2 protein servings, 2 fruit servings, 3 vegetable servings and 48oz of water. Give yourself these points as if you ate the two meals you were fasting for. I don’t recommend fasting for more than two meals.
Q: What if I have a Birthday or Anniversary during the challenge?
A: I wish that I could give you the day off for your special day, but it just wouldn’t be fair to the rest of your group. During the challenge you do get one completely free meal to use ANY day you choose. This meal, including dessert, does NOT count toward you daily calories.
Q: Do I have to be on Facebook to participate?
A: No. I do have a private Facebook group {https://www.facebook.com/groups/216361815162077/} that is an awesome place to find support, ask questions, and share your successes and struggles, but participation in that is not required. Occasionally the bonus list asks you to post on Facebook, so you’ll just need to email me the info you are asked to share.
Q: You’re materials are awesome! 😉 Can I use them to host a challenge of my own?
A: Why thank you! 🙂 While I definitely appreciate the compliment, I ask that you PLEASE not use my materials to host challenges. I have spent hours creating and improving all of the Feel Great in 8 materials and it is copyrighted work. If you’d like to do a challenge with just your friends, email me about a private group hosting.
Still didn’t find the answer you are looking for? You may find it in my helpful tips section, or feel free to email me! Tiffany – tiffany@feelgreatin8.com
