Exactly! This is a “for us, by us” scenario (80s kids anywhere?). We all get something great out of every participant.
As I see it, we’re competing with ourselves, not each other, @bulldog9899.
Oh I get that… still wouldn’t be a much of achievement on my end.. if you get what I mean.
I think we do, but we dont care. I think at the end of the contest it will be an “all things considered” type deal if you get what I mean
And really… This is just a friendly event to keep us all a little extra motivated, so if thats what does it for you join in!
Hadn’t actually thought of this until you all pointed this out. I think come the first of the year I’ll be focusing on my weighted pull up, squat, and deadlift. It would be fun to see what I can do on those three and possibly anything else that progresses like crazy during that time frame.
Ok you all have twisted my arm in a good way…interested in doing this kind of unT-raditional T-ransformation in '26.
I really don’t. Why wouldn’t six months’ worth of change not be much of an achievement?
@bulldog9899 you and I are doing the same program (sort of). We could build a tribe! You can rebuild and I can sort of build! You could help me achieve! We would be unstoppable (ish).
To clarify..
Yeah i understand its just a fun community thing to foster motivated and engagement.
Of course I understand its not direct a comp with the criteria being whom has improved themselves the most in the time frame
I will probably express this wrong.
Now which is more of achievement…
Let’s take a hypothetical member going by “ Bigmember69”
Hes been lifting consistently for 5 years and has been consistent along with working hard.
Now take myself … coming back after a 3 plus year layoff along with coming off a semi aggressive diet phase.
So lets use performance as the matrix .
In 6 month Bigmember69 is able to increase his Bench 5RM by 15 lbs by busting his ass
On my end I increase my 5RM by 50 lbs.
Mostly by being consistent and having a advantage of having a already established foundation to rebuild back on.
I know which one I find more of a achievement. Just saying.
I see some kind of Lord of the flies scenario happening. 
That feels like a yes to me.
Ugh…fine.
GD Right I’m in!!!
I am just excited that the “peer pressure” option proved out so publicly in just 24 hours. Nice job @EmilyQ @BethB @Lonnie123! Onto the next one.
We can work out matching tshirts and a team name later. 
Last year @throwawayfitness won by doing CRAZY lifts along with ASTONISHING cardio and what I felt was INHUMAN dietary compliance. He looks to me like a combination of Arnold and Popeye, who sometimes had muscles popping out of his muscles.
Last year I (unofficially) won by being able to see my delt in the mirror when I was putting my hair up. You see? It doesn’t matter.
Although I acknowledge that I can be a little extra in the starry-eyed optimist department, I suspect that most of the “losers” felt as I did. Throwaway was there with me every step of the way, even though I’m a joke in comparison. His emoji salute on the days I won some small victory was meaningful to me.
In 2024 the winner, @taylortooswift, was deployed at sea. Is it an unfair advantage to be trapped on a ship with a gym? Maybe, but he put in the work and transformed completely and we all loved being a part of it.
I’ve been playing kickball with my kids since they became big enough to play (which for the younger ones, was early). We don’t have enough people to make teams and no one cares, even now, with the kids marrying and making their own little players. If we’re in the field, we’re crouched and ready to tag the kicker out, and if we’re up we’re dodging the ball like our lives depend on it. If a three-year-old doesn’t know to run to the next base, we’re all screaming run! run! and if he or she is in the way as I’m running bases, I’ll pick him/her up and run him/her to home. A home run means we win and getting someone out from the field also means we win. No score. Just competition and fun, bragging and trash-talking our hearts out. Everyone cheers a good kick (we use an inflated beach ball because no one wants to chase the real kickball and also it made the littles cry when it hit them) and everyone cheers a good catch.
I’m a grandmother and a dork and all of our kids are nice people, so they cheer me for lesser accomplishments. My husband is a grandfather, but to this point a major competitor because he’s both coordinated and strong. He has to really bring it to get the crowd roaring, as does my most athletic son. It’s all good, because we all love playing together and getting home runs. Each according to our ability, as they say.
EDIT: oh, is it done already? the peer pressure?
I’ll just leave the pressure here for the next uncertain person. lol
I’m in, weight gain is the name of the game this transformation - so likely I’ll look worse, but first strongman comp in June, I’d like to come in around 220lbs (all time highest is 210, so this is a serious stretch for me), currently around 200.
Will be trying to balance the weight gain with keeping health markers in check (hba1c predominantly, but also not keen for lipids to start slipping or BP/HR/HRV to start increasing).
Just under 29 weeks so between 0.5 and 0.75 lbs per week should get me there.
@ChickenLittle, you in this year?
I don’t know, maybe. I definitely have fat to lose… 
So when does it start?
I am running a skeleton program at the moment but am looking to start CT’s SGSS program soon.
I had this conversation with my Dr this week. I said prior to ignore my lipid panel because I deliberately gained 10 lbs in 2 months. If I could do that eating “clean” I would, but I ate junk.