The Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenges: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are you interested in joining a Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenge (31-day, live group experience) but you aren’t quite sure if it’s right for you? Here are answers to the questions we receive most often.

Do you have a question you don’t see addressed here? Email us at sara@theholymess.com and we will respond to you personally.

When is the next weight loss challenge?

The next Holy Mess weight loss challenge is the Back to the Basics Challenge on March 1-31, 2025.

Enrollment is open from February 13-28th, with the first two days including early bird special pricing.

What’s the early bird special?

Get up to $25 and 20% off by enrolling February 13-15, 2025 during our early bird special pricing.

How much do Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenges cost?

New this year, we are offering three different pricing plans to meet your budget, with the lowest plan available for only $40 during early bird enrollment. That’s an incredible deal for a month of weight loss support!

What exactly is a Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenge?

The Holy Mess Challenges are:

• live group experiences
• personally led by Sara (who is maintaining a 100+ pound weight loss)
• a fun, motivating, and exciting way to lose weight!

The Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenges are 30+ day group experiences.

Once you join, you’ll immediately be able to download the printable Weight Loss Action Guide, which includes a getting started checklist, weekly habit tracker, and more.

You’ll be welcomed into a private group where you’ll stay accountable with daily check-ins, weekly weigh-ins, and exclusive videos.

What will I get?

With the Weight Loss Challenge, you’ll get:

• Access to PRIVATE GROUP SUPPORT.
• DAILY EVENING CHECK-INS for maximum accountability for your food choices.
• WEEKLY WEIGH-INS for additional accountability and motivation.
• WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS with Sara.
• PRINTABLE ACTION GUIDE with habit trackers & checklists for all 31 days of the challenge.

How much weight will I lose during a Holy Mess 30-Day Challenge?

While everyone (and their unique body) is different, many women lose 6-10 pounds during the Challenge experience.

I Was Part of the Last Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenge. Will This One Be Different or Teach Me Something New?

Yes! Join us for all-new teaching, group experience, affirmations, and bonus gift in every Challenge. While some features will be the same because members expressed how helpful they were (like daily check-ins, weekly weigh-ins), all the teaching material is brand-new.

What’s the meal plan for a Holy Mess 30 Day Challenge?

This challenge does not include a specific meal plan. Instead, we guide you to food choices that lead to weight loss. We recommend tracking with a food app such as Lose It, My Fitness Pal, WW, or in a paper journal. If you aren’t currently tracking, we’ll show you how.

What if I need a special diet, have chronic health issues, or can’t exercise?

No problem. The Challenge works for special diets including plant-based, low-carb, Keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, and others. No one type of food is required and no kind of food is off limits during this challenge.

While we encourage gentle daily movement, workouts are not required.

What’s the time commitment?

Every activity in this Challenge is carefully designed to give you maximum results for the least amount of time. We understand that you are busy. You can do this!

Suggested time commitment:

• 2 hours getting set up for success (like printing the Action Guide & stocking up on healthy groceries)
• 30 minutes per day doing healthy activities (such as tracking your food & checking in with the Facebook group)
• 1 hour per week for learning & organizing (including watching a weekly motivation video & planning your dinner menu)

I’m a Weight Watchers member counting points. Will this work for me?

Yes! Get the additional support and structure you need to follow the WW points system and lose more weight than ever before. (If you are NOT a WW member, this challenge is for you, too.)

Do I have to be a WW member for this Challenge?

No! This Challenge works for WW members and non-WW members. The program is designed to work equally well for both.

How do I know if a Holy Mess Challenge is right for me?

If you are a woman who wants to lose weight or maintain a weight loss, this challenge is for you! You’ll receive specific directions for how to lose weight and keep the pounds gone forever. Get the accountability and support you need to make healthy habits stick.

I want to join but I’ll be out of town for part of it.

Join anyway. Weight loss doesn’t take a vacation. We’ve had women participate in the Challenge while going on vacation, traveling, caring for grandkids, caring for disabled children or spouses, recovering from medical procedures, and more.

Email us at sara@theholymess.com and tell us about your situation. We will give you an honest answer if participation is realistic for you.

I’ve spent so much money on diets already.

We asked some of our previous challenge members how they would respond if someone said, “I want to join, but I’m so afraid I will fail at this like every other weight loss thing I’ve tried.”

Here’s what they said:

• Fear of failure is a real thing, but if we don’t try something new we get paralyzed by that fear and nothing will change. I’ve been through weight loss programs many times, and sometimes I think “I know all the tricks and tips. There will be nothing new.” This challenge will give you a different perspective. You will feel the love, caring, and support of other participants. It’s definitely worth the cost and effort!
• Do it, commit to it, and you will not regret it. You have everybody’s support, you have Sara’s support, and you will learn so much.
• If you don’t try, you will never know. It takes commitment, but Sara is with you all the way. Do it for yourself. You won’t regret it.
• It’s okay if you fail. No one is perfect. You’ll learn how to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start again. There’s no judgement here.
• I was skeptical as well, but joined and was very impressed with the Challenge. I will do the fall one as well.

What happens after I sign up?

As soon as you enroll in the challenge, you’ll receive the digital Action Plan (printable workbook), which includes a step-by-step getting started checklist. You’ll be invited to join the private group where Sara will be waiting to greet you. Come in and get settled, then the challenge officially begins the first day of the month.

What if I don’t use Facebook?

We now offer both a self-guided option (no social media required) and group experiences. Choose the plan that’s best for you.

Is this really worth the money? (Is this a scam?)

NO, this is not a scam, and YES, it is well worth the investment.

“This challenge was worth every penny! Sara is awesome & with you every step of the way. The weekly videos are wonderful because they help you change your eating habits. Loved this challenge & will definitely sign up for the next one.”

Mary T, Fall Challenge Member

Estimated value of the Challenge is $434. You get a great deal with enrollment. Wow!

What is your return policy?

Due to the digital and group experience aspects of this product, no refunds will be issued. If you have questions before enrolling, contact us at sara@theholymess.com, and we will be happy to assist you.

Is this a Christian weight loss challenge?

No. The Back to the Basics Challenge is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their faith background. While The Holy Mess is rooted in Christian values, this challenge focuses on practical, science-based weight loss strategies and healthy habits that anyone can apply. Participants of all backgrounds are welcome.

What if I want to join but can’t afford it?

Chances are high that during the next month, you’ll easily spend just as much as a challenge enrollment on:

• Two pizza deliveries (or one delivery if you have a large family)
• One grocery store trip that includes frozen prepared meals, junk food, ice cream, chips, or candy
• Two take-out meals from places like Chipotle or Panera
• One restaurant meal
• Two or three trips through the fast food drive-through

Not to mention the money you will spend on medications (hello, Tums), supplements, doctor’s appointment co-pays, and lost work when you aren’t feeling your best.

We now offer multiple challenge levels in order to meet any budget. We also offer a 4 payment plan option using Klarna.

Can you mail me a physical copy of the action guide?

At this time our Action Guide is only available in digital PDF format. If you don’t have a printer at home, we recommend printing at your local library or office supply store.

I’m a Faithful Finish Lines member. Should I join?

Faithful Finish Lines members are welcome to join any of The Holy Mess Challenges, especially if you are seeking an extra boost of accountability.

All the regular FFL activities continue during the Challenge.

When’s the next challenge?

The next 31-day Holy Mess Challenge is May 1-31, 2024, the Blossom and Bloom Challenge led by LaNette Whiteside.

Do you have to eat plant-based food for this challenge?

Nope! While we encourage you to eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, plant-based eating is not required. 

Can I do this challenge if I eat 100% plant-based?

Yes. You’ll fit right in and choosing all plant-based food choices won’t be a problem at all. There will be other people who are plant-based in the challenge so you won’t be alone.

Can people at their goal weight join the challenge?

Absolutely! We encourage you to join the Challenge because it’s wonderful accountability. We all know that maintaining is just as hard – if not harder – than losing. Sara will be following along and doing all the activities with the group, and she’s at goal, so you’ll fit right in with her.

Will this Challenge work for me if I’m taking a weight loss medication or have had weight loss surgery?

Yes, we welcome you into the Challenge. People taking weight loss medications, or who have weight loss surgery, find the most success when they follow a healthy diet like the one we guide you toward during the Challenge experience.

Other questions? Email us sara@theholymess.com and we are happy to respond.