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.

- When is the next weight loss challenge?
- What's the early bird special?
- How much do Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenges cost?
- What exactly is a Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenge?
- What will I get?
- How much weight will I lose during a Holy Mess 30-Day Challenge?
- I Was Part of the Last Holy Mess Weight Loss Challenge. Will This One Be Different or Teach Me Something New?
- What's the meal plan for a Holy Mess 30 Day Challenge?
- What if I need a special diet, have chronic health issues, or can't exercise?
- What's the time commitment?
- I'm a Weight Watchers member counting points. Will this work for me?
- Do I have to be a WW member for this Challenge?
- How do I know if a Holy Mess Challenge is right for me?
- I want to join but I'll be out of town for part of it.
- I've spent so much money on diets already.
- What happens after I sign up?
- What if I don't use Facebook?
- Is this really worth the money? (Is this a scam?)
- What is your return policy?
- Is this a Christian weight loss challenge?
- What if I want to join but can't afford it?
- Can you mail me a physical copy of the action guide?
- I'm a Faithful Finish Lines member. Should I join?
- When's the next challenge?
- Do you have to eat plant-based food for this challenge?
- Can I do this challenge if I eat 100% plant-based?
- Can people at their goal weight join the challenge?
- Will this Challenge work for me if I'm taking a weight loss medication or have had weight loss surgery?
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.
Yes, this is a SCAM. The second you sign up for their “free” program you are bombarded with emails to buy stuff that will help (such as a journal), saying you will LOSE MORE if you are more committed. Shame on you! Touting your lies as the “Christian solution to weight loss”! May God have mercy on you for all the people left discouraged and ashamed because your advice doesn’t work. I followed your advice and gained 4 pounds in one week, AND feel worse than before (tired, stomach pain, etc). Some of your ideas are just ludacris; such as saying that most women should eat as much as 2000 calories a day, or that calories in/calories out is the solution for everyone. Some people have conditions such as low thyroid or PCOS that make it nearly impossible to lose weight, and eating 2000 calories a day would have them gaining POUNDS a week. Why don’t you just tell everyone the truth– that you get paid by weight watchers to advertise and recruit for them? This is nothing more than a money making scam. STAY AWAY! God can help you lose weight without wasting your money buying this lady’s products.
I’m sorry you were unhappy with our programs and emails. We are real women striving to help people and never intend to scam anyone. We earn income from some affiliate links and products, which we disclose. We also offer many free items. I wish you the best with your future weight loss and wellness.
I am thinking of joining, I am trying to discern if I can make the daily live Facebook events. I live in California.
Is the daily life Facebook event at 7 PM EST every day?
Do you also meet on the weekends every day?
Thank you it seems like the live event piece is key to this particular challenge, and I would have to arrange my work schedule to be able to join most days
Hi Gina, Thanks for your question. Daily, we post our food logs in the group, but you can post those anytime that works for you after 6:00 PM Eastern each day. I recommend that most people post that day’s log before they go to bed. Once a week (Monday nights at 7:00 PM Eastern) I host a live video. Those are great to attend live because I interact with members in the comments, but if you can’t attend live, that’s okay too. I post a replay of all the videos. So really, you can make it work for your schedule. I hope you join us!
Do you have a point calculator? I like using weight watchers but am not a member right now.
Hi Kathy, WW keeps their points calculation private to only members. The next closest program I have found is the app Healthie (formerly called itrackbites) which offers a similar system. The app is free, although there are some paid upgrades. I hope this helps!
What time do I have to be on Facebook for the challenge?
Hi Kathryn, You can come to the FB group anytime. The live Monday night videos are at 7:00 PM EST, but there is a replay if you cannot attend live. The daily food log sharing thread opens at 6:00 PM every night, but you can post your day’s food log anytime after that, before you go to bed. I hope this helps and you are able to join us.
Good morning,
I purchased the online 30 day challenge and I am wondering if I can pay a little bit more to be in this challenge to have a group to chat with and have the extra support?
Thanks
Andrea
Hi Andrea, Thanks for your question and thanks for investing in the 30 day self-guided challenge. Because each group experience is new and unique, with all new teaching, workbook, and more, members pay the full enrollment fee each time. Are you on Facebook? If so, I would encourage you to join us for the Fall Challenge! If not, unfortunately I don’t have a way to create a separate chat except what I currently have available in the self-guided course on the Teachable platform.
I am sorry but I did not get the download, I should say I got it but my power went out, computer went down and I lost it. I got the devotional part printed but not the actual challenge. Would you please email it to me again.
Thank you,
Paulette Burtenshaw
Hi Paulette, Please email us sara@theholymess.com and we can resend the download link for you.