The Way I See It
Going to the 42 Day Challenge was the worst mistake I ever made

Going to the 42 Day Challenge was the worst mistake I ever made

The 42 Day Challenge is a rat race. It will help you lose weight temporarily, but can cause serious damage later.

Wardha Saleem January 23, 2016

The 42 Day Challenge – “Often imitated, never replicated”.

This is their slogan. Does it work? The testimonials on their Facebook page sure say so. But, is it a responsible program that ensures health with weight loss of their clients?

Not in my opinion.

So I have been working out since I was 14-years-old. The 42 Day Challenge was not the first hard core workout program for me. I have also been working out with personal trainers, with regular bouts of yoga. Like most people, my journey of fitness has not been very constant. I would adopt a fitness routine and then abandon it for months. I have a busy and hectic life, and like any urban dweller, I tend to forgo my workout.

Having a personal trainer who would pester me about my workout seemed the most practical option. So I found myself a permanent personal trainer.

Unfortunately, a friend told me about the very popular 42 Day Challenge. The pros were that it was close to my house. Not having to commute is a godsend at the end of a busy day. I was delighted about the fact that the program promised fast weight loss.

Without considering the cons, I enrolled myself in the programme.

Once I was enrolled, I received a diet plan via email. Hundreds other people received it as well. It was the same for everybody.

It was official. I was doing the 42 Day Challenge.

I have never regretted a decision more.

Photo: The Forty Two Day Challenge Facebook page

I walked in to see hundreds of people lined up. That’s when I should have bolted. How can a trainer responsibly train so many people at the same time?

There was a huge crowd of people of all ages and sizes. Numerous “hello’s” and “good to see you’s” later, the workout began.

Photo: The Forty Two Day Challenge Facebook page

I was completely shocked to see that the workout started without any stretches. It comprised of circuits with mountain climbers, jumping jacks, squats and what not.

The workout space resembled a fish market. Amongst the crowd of jumping jacks, I bet the trainer didn’t even see me, let alone know my name. I had a friend who came with a group for a trial class and continued till the end without even getting herself enrolled.

Photo: The Forty Two Day Challenge Facebook page

You can imagine the level of negligence of the management. They didn’t know who was there, and who was doing what.

Everybody was lifting weights, and doing lunges and squats, without being taught the right postures. The trainers stayed oblivious throughout the sessions. During that programme I continued with my personal trainer. Every morning I stretched to get my body ready so I could break it again with that insanely stupid workout session.

Photo: The Forty Two Day Challenge Facebook page

A class that used to start without any stretches and ended without any stretches. God, how could I do that to myself? Finally, I gave up on the 34th day.

Due to that horrible experience, my knees were affected very badly for a year. I couldn’t wear heels or walk up the stairs. The damage made my life very difficult.

One of my friends decided to continue with the next session as well because she lost some weight. This was her first time working out. She endured the same knee injury. Thankfully she gave it up before more damage was inflicted.

I recovered from that knee problem after I joined an ancillary care provider company, where the trainer is more concerned about my health, my posture and my weight loss. Moreover, she designs her workout plan as per the strengths of the people in her class.

Notwithstanding, my personal experience I am sure people get results from this 42 Day Challenge. But what will happen afterwards, when the rigorous workout ends and diets are no longer curtailed?

To me, the 42 Day Challenge is a rat race; it will help you lose weight temporarily, but can cause serious damage to your health in the long run.

We need to recognise that our bodies are different from each other. We cannot have generalised meal plans and uniform workout sessions. In an attempt to lose weight, we should consult a nutritionist and adopt a diet that suits our health system.

Whoever is looking to lose a few pounds quickly, I would urge them to stay away from the 42 Day Challenge. Trust me, it will do more harm than good.

WRITTEN BY:
Wardha Saleem The author is a prominent fashion designer.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (40)

Bilal's vlogs | 5 years ago | Reply Ever tried to drink some milk and some cac 1000?

educate yourself | 7 years ago | Reply Disclaimer: I am not a certified fitness trainer and neither are the other monkeys out there. Trust only yourself and research backed resources (mentioned at the end). And even certified trainers can be bad ones just like in any other profession. For those getting injured you need to study and understand why injuries really happen, the root cause is the daily activities we perform and mostly we sit (in the car, watching Tv, during our jobs, on that exercise machine, etc) we were not designed to sit for extended periods of time. Sitting will lead to muscular imbalances (there are other related topics like Tight Fascia, Kinetic Chain/Postural Alignment, Planes of motion, integrated/isolated function of each muscle group, etc) like a forward, pelvic tilt (anterior or posterior), externally rotated feet mixed with feet-pronation (over/under) to name a few. These muscular imbalances will lead to improper muscles' force couples (synergy) and length/tension relationships (reciprocal inhibition) as well as your joint motion (Arthrokinematics) being dys-functional. Hence, the improper forces that will be produced on different parts of your body will lead to injury, this is just the basic idea. Now we get into the muscle groups behind some imbalances For example if your feet are not in line with your knees when walking (toes should be straight not angling outwards), it means that the problems lie in the gluteus medius (over-active), lengthened adductors, if your pelvis has an anterior tilt, this will lead to an imbalance in the gastrocemius (the inner head becomes over-active) and all of this at times lead to an anterior pelvic tilt, then that in turn causes shearing forces in the knees. There are other reasons for knees to get busted. Now continuing with the Anterior pelvic tilt (Lordosis): the Hip Flexors are overactive, iliopaosas is lengthened, erector spinae are contracted and this leads to your famous L4 and L5 disc problems For the Posterior Tilt the Hip Extensors are overactive pulling the pelvis back, the erector spinae become lengthened. Another issue that needs to be addressed is Fascia being tight which is the group of fibers that directs the muscles into the imbalances (according to some - read anatomy trains), however, fascia becomes tight due to our daily activities. So the muscle imbalances can be corrected by releasing the fascia via (foam rollers, theracanes, medicine balls, tennis balls, dry cupping, etc) and performing corrective exercises (different for each type of imbalances and ability of the individual) along with performing exercises that promote stabilization (movement) and balance (stationary) primarily using swiss balls and bosu balls. Without addressing these issues it almost impossible to avoid injury at some point. And just because you are not injured yet or have never been uptill now, does not mean that you do not have imbalances. You can go into the muscle fibre types Type I - for stabilization/slow movement/endurance and Type II for fast movement Type II A (fast movement) and Type II B (explosive movement). These are just the basics there is a lot more study books on exercsie physiology/kinesiology and nutrition/dietetics, apply the concepts, for a shortcut read NASM and NSCA material. Hope this helps

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Ahmed Anwer | 8 years ago | Reply I have recently done the moin Khan challenge and I'm more than satisfied with my results, the writer should actually grow up and stop acting as if he's a Child who needs proper attention in kg class where the teacher would stand on his head and make him eat or drink His water, the trainers would always tell everyone to warm up which is a obvious fact , everyone doing the work out knows they have to do their warm ups they are not babies who won't eat food if there mothers aren't there, he would tell everyone to come close to the stage so they can perform their exercises properly but if poeple like you would stay at the back waiting for the trainer to come to you then it's your fault not his, if you're mature enough to pay 15000 for the workout then you should be mature enough to warm up and perform your exercises, the idea is that it's challenge where you have to push yourself not wait for someone to make you do it, you're stupid to stop after 34 days when the challenge would be ending and the most intense week was in the corner, you either left because you were scared like a baby because of the intensity of the work out in the last week. They don't suck up to someone as you're there to lose weight and build your muscles not them , you need it that's why you went they were not begging you to come, stop spreading false information, the only regret you should have is that you went into a challenge and failed to achieve your goals specially before the last week so before writing the post think about your flaws not the other way round, they would also tell substitute excersies for people who are carrying different injuries whether it's their knees ankles or back, there was always a exercise , people were always alerted before the combo how they shouldn't perform a certain excersie if they are carrying any particular injury . If you want such baby treatment then you should apply In the DHA school which is also in the moin khan premises, I'm sure they will give your proper detailing regarding everything . Take care and grow up

Ahmed Anwer | 8 years ago | Reply I have recently done the moin Khan challenge and I'm more than satisfied with my results, the writer should actually grow up and stop acting as if he's a Child who needs proper attention in kg class where the teacher would stand on his head and make him eat or drink His water, the trainers would always tell everyone to warm up which is a obvious fact , everyone doing the work out knows they have to do their warm ups they are not babies who won't eat food if there mothers aren't there, he would tell everyone to come close to the stage so they can perform their exercises properly but if poeple like you would stay at the back waiting for the trainer to come to you then it's your fault not his, if you're mature enough to pay 15000 for the workout then you should be mature enough to warm up and perform your exercises, the idea is that it's challenge where you have to push yourself not wait for someone to make you do it, it is stupid to stop after 34 days when the challenge would be ending and the most intense week was in the corner, you either left because you were scared because of the intensity of the work out in the last week. You're there to lose weight and build your muscles not them , you need it that's why you went they were not begging you to come, stop spreading false information, the only regret you should have is that you went into a challenge and failed to achieve your goals specially before the last week so before writing the post think about your flaws not the other way round, they would also tell substitute excersies for people who are carrying different injuries whether it's their knees ankles or back, there was always a exercise , people were always alerted before the combo how they shouldn't perform a certain excersie if they are carrying any particular injury . Take care.

Anon | 8 years ago | Reply The writer is spot on with the experience she had with 42 day challenge as every individual have different levels of maximum heart capacity. While 42 day challenge has generalised workout, they lack professional or medical expertise for a good workout. The more important thing is maintaining a good diet and healthy lifestyle and not join those horrible boot camps for temporary results. So it becomes constant cycle to join their program over and over again whole effecting your health in the long term. It's more of a money making thing than anything else and it's not cheap either !

Sarfraz | 8 years ago | Reply What a ridiculous review! If professional writers are using arguments like "my friend this" and "a friend said that" argument to prove their point, may God be with us! Paying for group services and expecting a personal trainer? I think you would know better since you have been training since 14yr old and have had personal trainers. As far as typical "shortcut" mentality is concerned, only education and grooming can get rid of it. It happens in all parts of world, yes even in the developed countries albeit in lesser percentage. And only if you had used all your experience in fitness and arrived 10-15 min earlier and warmed up yourself even if the trainers were not doing it (sounds almost impossible) you and your friend could have avoided the knee injury.

Mustafa Mirza | 8 years ago Exactly! Several people do an entire round of jogging or walking to get warmed up nicely, i myself did it several times, and results were even better than doing only the challenge mandated warm up

rubab | 8 years ago | Reply Hi any suggestions as too who to join and where would be appreciated

Mojovod | 8 years ago | Reply The 42 Day Challenge is a dangerous thing. I agree that ppl lose weight in this program, but the risks they face whilst doing that is too great for me. I've done the challenge and all it consists of is Torsam and Nusrat playing drill sergeants with no regard of what might be appropriate according to the various people's fitness level. Granted that all New research points to not to stretch a cold muscle, but there is no stretching at the end either. Horsham and Nusrat have just one formula: push, push, and push even more. If someone could do a 100 squats on day 1 I doubt that they would need to do the program in the first place. Programs like these have a lot of benefit, provided that they are conducted responsibly. I like to think that this is another step in the evolution, with a long way to go.

Mustafa Mirza | 8 years ago | Reply Garbage article,. 42 day challenge is an excellent workout for toning the body and weight loss. I lost weight both times despite not following the diet fully. Workout is structured for a complete workout of upper and lower body. Recommend it highly, the communal aspect is also very motivating. Awesome experience both times.

Babar Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Taught a fitness and combat program (https://www.facebook.com/FatTorchingPlan) in Karachi for eight years. Very few students were knowledgeable about the long term investment required for sustaining fitness. Majority of students, from various income groups and education backgrounds, were more interested in quick gains. Most of the students enrolled a month before their wedding or that of a friend. Most students were focused on losing kilos rather than losing inches or gaining energy. Most students listened to their fat parents about what exercise bulks your shoulders or legs. Most students neglected to educate themselves or learn something new. It's a societal issue. Pakistani have never been interested in the long run. Vote for the guy treating you to biryani today, not the guy cleaning your city within 8 months. I personally can handle the 42 Day Challenge. If you don't understand something, ask. If you can't do something, stop to Google it. If you're experiencing pain, stop. Direct your feedback at the trainer. Torsam has a good head on his shoulders.

Laila | 8 years ago | Reply if you don't like crowds, stay away from group classes. And if you don't have the sense to listen to your body, maybe stay away from exercise. No trainer can tell you what your knees are game for, only your own sense can do that. Also, there is no exercise or weight loss program that will guarantee you a size zero body forever, without any maintainance or upkeep. I've been exercising for more than a decade (am in my late 30s) this class changed my life. These kids are amazing. There was a couple with me who was in their 50/s they said they give duas to torsam every day because of this program they are able to climb stairs in a way they couldn't do for years. Keep it up Torsam and Nusrar, ignore people who think they own you just because they gave you a little money.

Amna Ejaz | 8 years ago | Reply This is absolutely true... I suffered from an ankle injury from a different group but same issues as you mentioned.... I couldn't even stand up for two months...and had to quit the session in the second week.. A personal trainer or a class with a limited number is more important... The right posture and a diet according to your lifestyle is more important.. And most importantly... It's not magic...if you loose fast trust me you will gain fast aswell once you are done with the session... Take it slow n steady.... I'm an example of it..

Ahsan lone | 8 years ago Perfectly put laila

Me | 8 years ago | Reply I'm glad someone has actually exposed them. I know everyone wants a quick fix but these scammers are playing with people's well being. I know at least five people who have suffered injuries. People need to ask themselves all these questions before they sign up for this stupidity: what will you do after 42 days? How can a 20 year old and 40 year old be doing same program? How can someone with a knee pain and shoulder pain be performing same exercises. How can everyone be on same or almost same diet plan without taking in account their individual dietary requirements plus individual caloric needs?

Shikeb | 8 years ago | Reply A 42 day challenge is more of a social activity than health activity. This lady took it seriously!

mn | 8 years ago | Reply I never understood how they can make people (mostly beginners is my guess) do things like squats or lunges, in a ground, with no mirrors. With no mirrors, there should be like 1 trainer for every 10 trainees to keep check...

A 2 times survivor/Couchpotato | 8 years ago | Reply This and other similar programs are not one on one training sessions. If you feel that you have medical conditions or your body has limits... Say so. Or hire a personal trainer. Dont join a Fad to be known as fashionable and then dis it to be different. Biggest problem with most people is 'motivation' to workout and program like these have provided it for thousands. In all cirumstances Always use your brains....

Lost | 8 years ago | Reply For starters, if you've had such a long history with workouts, getting on the bandwagon was wrong enough. Every person who regularly works out, diets healthy and has gained something will tell you that this requires mental strength to persevere with routines. Shortcuts, in workout life are as bad as in real life. You may get short term benefits, but it's not going to last. Cheers to your personal trainer, add a responsibility of keeping you off fads in her JD

Saleema | 8 years ago | Reply I left the 42 days challenge for same reasons after 31 days.

salman | 8 years ago | Reply I completely dis agree with this conclusion! I myself have done three of these 42 days challenges! Lost 40 lbs overall, and hey did I forget to mention I have had two knee acl reconstruction surgeries prior to this! The trainers always mentioned alternate exercises for knees sensitive folks, there were trainers running around check on us, correcting our postures etc! I feel so much better with the weight loss, haven't done these for four month now, gained back 5 lbs due to busy and very little exercise schedule, but do these exercises at home whenever I find time, all I need is an exercise mat! Personal trainers are very good, but this program I have found to be a positive life changing experience!

Waleed | 8 years ago | Reply I've never been to any of these programs but it's funny how the lady blames everything on the trainers etc. First, static stretching is old school. They dont recommend it anymore before working out. You do that after you've done your workout. Dynamic stretching is the way to go. Jumping jacks, mountain climbers come in that category. Second, yes you can lose weight with a generalized diet plan based on 2000 calories. Third, the idea of the workout plan is to teach you to eat healthy and workout often when you're done with 42 days. Obviously you're gonna get fat if you'll start hogging on food again. Bad management and not telling them how to do an exercise properly is wrong though. That lady is just blaming her failure on the trainers. That's just wrong.

An athlete | 8 years ago | Reply Jumping jacks and mountain climbers are part of dynamic stretching - which is recommended BEFORE starting any workout. Educate yourself about dynamic and static stretching before you take a dig at someones weight loss program. Your knees got damaged due to your erratic "urban dweller"workout regime which got exposed during the challenge.

Abdullah Aslam | 8 years ago | Reply I join the 42 day challenge with my sister and my brother in law. There was this incident when we were leaving a guy with a vigo tried to stop my brother in law to go pehle. When he followed his line, the guards and he himself came out and started hitting the car with the gun with the guy saying I won't leave you. They beat up my brother in law and my sister, also causing damage to car and left. We registered an FIR and to find the person asking Torsam for help but he didn't cooperate a bit because the guy was a buddy of one of his close friends. He hid his identity and didn't bother helping us till the end. Such incidents have happened previously and they do nothing to control it.

AW | 8 years ago | Reply Few days ago, a couple of my colleagues passed out during meetings. One thing was common they had drastically lost weight in recent times. It came to my knowledge that the sudden drop in their weight and smarter outlook is a result of 42 day challenge. So that's another common thing. Cant really blame 42 days challenge but the points made in this blog make sense. Not just anyone and not everyone can do these extreme exercises.

Ibad | 8 years ago | Reply You never stretch a cold muscle O woman of many years of workout experience. I've never done the program, but I know fitness...and this seems like nothing but an opinionated rant. Seems to me you've got a habit of not considering the "cons" of your actions. This is in bad taste lady, bad taste.

Anonymous | 8 years ago | Reply What a fantastic depiction of the 42 DC. I definitely agree that there are no warm ups and/or cool downs before and after the strenuous exercise which is the worst thing these "trainers" do and furthermore I also agree with the writer when she says it caused her knee injuries because I totally suffered that after the 42 DC. I did lose a lot of weight that is something I credit the challenge with but the fact that I achieved weight loss and hurt my knees in the process does not make the weight loss that great of an achievement. I wish the "trainers" would understand that the exercises they do like squats and lunges etc. Need to be shown properly and the form has to be perfected with the people who are new to exercising or else they can lead to serious injuries. I think the writer has perfectly captured all that is wrong with the 42DC and I completely agree!

Sufyan Amjad | 8 years ago | Reply No stretches? I have personally trained with them and they are the best thing I've come across!

Umair Siddiqui | 8 years ago | Reply Being a Fitness trainer this is what I personally observed, There is no shortcut in fitness world its on going process.. https://www.facebook.com/umair0011

Ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply Its the best fitness program in Karachi. I went to the last session and it changed me completely, I have much better health and i am much more fitter because of them. Will be joining them again in next session next month. 42 day challenge is the best, no doubt about it.

gymoholic | 8 years ago | Reply Oh finally I find somebody finally stand-up on this I don't want to share my stories else I might start with slang...They just progress in minting money not people's health I have had severe knee injury still under recovery...I stand with you on any forum to put some legal action against this group of criminls.

Aijaz Haq | 8 years ago | Reply On a separate note - FBR should look to tax the informal service providers such as these.

Ovais Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Theres a reason why the body building world hates crossfitters lol

Fraudiye | 8 years ago | Reply The first and the most important thing you should ask before signing up for one of these things is what kind of certification the trainers have ? Do your research before going in. Unfortunately most of these bootcamps are run by people who are not qualified/certified and are just going off of stuff they've seen on the Internet or P90x-ish DVD's. They're just in it for the money. We should be really careful with what we put our bodies through as some injuries are not immediate and show up a little longer down the road and can have severe consequences. Be careful. Oh and in other countries one can be taken to court for causing injuries to clients during a bootcamp or running a bootcamp without certification. Being a lawyer or Med student doesn't certify you.

Anonymous | 8 years ago | Reply This is pure slander. Should not be taken into account at all- in other countries one can be taken to court for such a thing. All nonsense, never have I seen 2 individuals so dedicated to their clients- regardless of the large number. I have several serious injuries and a terrible joint problem- I raise my hand if I feel something is not suiting me and within moments one of the trainers come to me and change my exercise, something more suitable for someone with my problems. And never have I attended a session where it did not begin with our stretches and basic warm up. Sad that it is so easy to talk down somebody's business especially when it has been built up with such honesty and hard work.

Bilal Riaz | 8 years ago Fitness and Health are both important but u cant compromise on ur health just to lose weight thats not good

lying laloos | 8 years ago | Reply Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone. These fitness programs have started mushrooming left right and center and I believe none of them are even half decent as compared to a personal trainer which roughly costs the same. Hope your injury is better now

Kin | 8 years ago | Reply My husband suffered through extremely high blood pressure and had to be admitted at the hospital for about a week due to this insanely strenuous and highly illogical procedure. He had to ultimately bail out midway. It is beyond me how they can enroll someone without inquiring of a high bp history especially since the trainer is supposedly a doctor. I will never recommend this to anyone. One ought to be literate enough to judge that these two are just minting money off your weaknesses. No thought process or long term health consideration behind it

Anonymous | 8 years ago i myself have taken the challenge twice and can in all honesty say this is utter crap! Express Tribune you desperately need some better writers and better ideas to write about. Just putting up crap about anything and everything to get attention is what you have been up to! Nusrat and Torsam are both doing a great job and so are the other trainers there! It's a good and effective way to lose weight fast and with out compromising your health! I have not only lost weight in the two sessions, but improves my stamina, skin and hair as well!

Sufyan Amjad | 8 years ago Unfortunate, i hope he's better. Did he have prior history of high blood pressure. You do know that he didn't have to complete each and every repetition if he wasn't up to it. But I hope he's feeling better...

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