See below for FAQ's on the Challenge.
Anyone else going to,join?

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5 days to go! Wow, we hope you are as excited and ready as we are! Just a quick note today on some more frequently asked questions we are getting in the lead up to registrations opening next Monday the 15th.

WILL I GET NUTRITION AND TRAINING PLANS AS PART OF THE CHALLENGE?

Short answer is - Yes! :
We will provide you detailed training and nutrition plans based on the following timeframes - weeks 1-4, weeks 5-8, and weeks 9-12.
The plans for weeks 5-8 and the final 4 weeks will only be available as the dates in the program arise.
Trust in the training and nutrition plans. They work. Try and stick to them!

As Master Coach Fred will tell you more than once along the way – this is all about ‘test and measure’. It’s a process of trial and error until you figure out what’s best and what’s working for you specifically.

Our expert team of Coaches and Ambassadors will be on hand almost 24/7 for support and information. If you have any queries whatsoever along the way so we urge you to utilise their years of expertise. More info on how you can access them below.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL I GET THROUGH THE CHALLENGE?

As well as providing you with all the necessary training and nutrition programs, you will get access to a large variety of online video tips about nutrition and training and most importantly access to our team of Coaches, Ambassadors and the whole Challenge community for support! You will also get access to our Challenge forum.

Even though we have separated the Challenge for men and women for judging purposes, one of the MOST important parts of the entire Challenge process is the community that develops between Challengers as the 12 weeks progresses.

Use the forum for:

General Support along the way
Having questions answered by our coaches and ambassadors
Sources of information on training tips
Sources of information on nutrition tips
As a key in your motivation and state of mind along the way
The great thing about this forum is that both men and women can access the same forum. Even though we have separated the competition for judging – we are all in this together!

The forum is easy to use and will be divided into a few different sections:

Nutrition
Training
Motivation
General Chit Chat
Admin/Technical Help
Just post a question on any of those topics in the relevant area and you will get help from not only our team, but also the entire Challenge community! Only people successfully registered for the Challenge and our team of Coaches, Ambassadors and Challenge Admin Team can access the forum. Not the general public.

You will also be able to “search” for a topic in this year’s forum, as it can often be difficult wading through all the information. So if you want to find out a bit about ‘training legs’ or even the ‘rift’ between too much and not enough cardio – just type it in the search area and see if it’s already been covered.

Finally, our Master Coach Fred will be giving you some Challenge specific tips in the coming weeks on Muscle TV. We are also very excited to announce something very special in the way of support for every participant in the Challenge.

Each Sunday at 7:55pm (AEST), starting on Sunday 14th July (the day before registrations open) Fred will be appearing on TV4ME (Free to Air Digital Channel 74) with a special message FOR ALL CHALLENGERS! Each week at the same time on Sunday night for the entire 12 weeks of the Challenge, Fred will be on your TV screens and in your lounge rooms with a message to everyone participating in the Challenge, including which lucky Challengers have won the ‘Blog of the Week’ prize in the ‘Muscle Up’ and ‘Shape Up’ Challenges, and also very specific and incredibly useful information for your upcoming week. How good is that!

Just for you, and specific to the Challenge on FREE TO AIR TV! This will be a fantastic way for all Challengers to get some great info and most importantly get set, and get motivated for the week ahead.

If you are out and about, working or just don’t catch Fred on each Sunday night broadcast though fear not – his message will be available on the website too.

OK, that’s it for now. Not long now!
Chat soon,

I think this one is going to be fantastic.

Did you watch the video on the website? It gives some ideas of whats ahead and then the FAQs that I posted look promising.

Also, http://issuu.com/maxsmagazine/docs/maxsmusclenews4 - here is the Max's magazine (free) online. There are 4 accessible on the web, and give the run down of the nutrition programme and weight training. Good info, with a heavy BB slant, but I think it could be changed to suit yourself.

I'm not sure I'd want to do 2 challenges at once, pick what suits you and is going to help you get to your goals. There's nothing to stop you starting Max's and then dropping the one you don't like.

Yay Neets and Pixie!! Registration is from 3pm this afternoon, so get ready. Neets, I sent you a FR.

I have to make sure my laptop has the correct O/S, but hopefully I will be able to register tonight. Note to self... Buy a paper.

Pix, just register and go slow for the first couple of weeks with exercise. It doesn't officially start until the 29th. You can still eat properly, food is 80% of the equation so they say.... And then start weights when you feel up to it, again, start slowly. You'll be able to go for a walk when you feel up to it, and then ease yourself in.

Terri, what did you decide? Stay with ASN or try Maxine's?

Any newcomers... Join in and see how you go! I've got NO idea what it's going to be like, but I just think it's a great external motivator for the next 12 weeks to take us into a hot Aussie summer

mp,,, you won't know unless you try!

I signed up, got the nutrition and training plans, starts on Monday 29th so you have another 8 days to think about it

It's free, so sign up and have a look at all the stuff.

Basically you are given 2 choices of programmes for men, only one for women.

There is a nutrition plan and a training plan. But they say that you can change them, the plans are suggestions for people who need something to follow, or who are starting out.

To be eligible to win, you need to buy at least one Max's product, and keep the receipt, and keep a blog (on the site) with photos of your progression. There are also forums available for challengers only, they aren't public.

There is a top 30 of the best transformations. Top 10 go to Melbourne for the winners dinner and announcement, which I think is some time in November.

Register!

Hi fellow Challengers!!
Day 4 is upon us!!

How are we all doing? I had the muesli for breakfast as per the plan - with plain yoghurt and protein powder. Was nice, but not enough!! Then I had my very first Maxine's Choc Caramel bar for morning snack, with a coffee - OMG - nice... Seemed like FAR too much of a treat... I can see that I will have to hide them from my DD, or she will eat the entire box.

I bought a box of the bars and vanilla Maxine's powder on www.SuppsRUs - MUCH cheaper than the GNC store in the city. Saved about 40% and got a free shake bottle and free delivery too. So check that one out if you have trouble finding a supplier.

Did my HIIT this morning, on the bike. All good.

Plus, I just joined up for Instagram as per Neets suggestion. I'll post some pics up there when I work out WTH I'm supposed to do!! Might be good for posting pics of food... What do you think?

How is everyone else travelling? Lets keep in touch and help one another out when the going gets tough.

XO from Skim

Day 17

Hi fellow Challengers!! How are you going? All going well here. Have been following the nutrition plan on and off, I find that I need a lot more food than the suggested plan, but they do say that it is just a guideline and eat as much as you can so that you can do a cut later in the 12 weeks, so I'm still going with my 1500-1600 per day average at present. Read this thread, you will need to log in, as it's only for challengers:

http://www.maxineschallenge.com.au/2013/maxines/forum/forum-posts.php?The-Ultimate-Cutting-Nutrition-Plan-needs-to-start-with-a-good-foundation-of-calories-3055

It does ramble a bit, but you get the idea. Eat TDEE less a moderate cut. They say that 1200 calories at this stage is too little (but of course this is going to depend on individual sex, weight, height, age etc).

Training wise, I am still doing 3 x Full Body weight training sessions per week. Not increasing strength much, but concentrating on keeping to 3/12-15 sets/reps for all. Takes me about an hour, bit less, with HIIT and abs on the in-between days. Really enjoying it, but I am looking forward to swapping over in week 5 to a new routine.

My goal for doing this Challenge was to get down to about 20-22% body fat, and I'm making small inroads.. I know it gets more difficult as I get closer to that number, but it's looking promising so far