New Year Pitfalls: Where Kick-Start Plans Go Wrong

Published: Jan. 5, 2017, 8 p.m.

Yesterday I laid out the benefits of doing a kick-start program\u2014what a good community challenge, elimination program or other total reset could offer you in reclaiming (or enhancing) health. For the most part, I believe in the power of these plans. Obviously, I organize one every year here. I\u2019ve seen countless folks turn their well-being around\u2014lose weight, build strength and stamina, relish new energy, reverse or dial back medical conditions, kick medications they thought they\u2019d be on for the rest of their lives. A kick-start gave them enough structure, support and momentum to move beyond the drag force, and they\u2019re flourishing today as a result.

And, yet, I\u2019d be remiss to to say I haven\u2019t seen them fail for some people. As a professional and a friend, I\u2019ve witnessed (or at least heard the story after the fact) people getting fully sidetracked and even losing their footing on one of these plans. It happens, and there\u2019s usually a clear reason why.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)