2026 Iron Cowboy New Year Nutrition Challenge

Challenge Duration: January 5th – February 15th, 2026 (6 Weeks)
Cost: $25 per person / $50 per team
Prize: 💰 Cash Jackpot! — 100% of entry fees go straight to the winning team.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

Rather than demonize people for feeling motivated going into the new year we want to actually help you capitalize on that motivation. We know its fleeting, so if we can get you to actually see progress in that 6 weeks, you hopefully see how hard work and commitment = results.

The Iron Cowboy Nutrition Challenge is a 6-week reset to kick off your year with momentum. It’s not a diet — it’s about learning how to fuel performance, recover better, and feel your absolute best.

You’ll dial in your food, hydration, sleep, and consistency — the things that truly move the needle inside and outside the gym.

WHAT TO FOCUS ON

1. Eat Real Food

Keep it simple. Stick to whole, nutrient-dense foods that make you feel strong and perform well. We train hard at Iron Cowboy. It’s also nice to have your hard work not only show up in workout performance, health metrics like BP, Cholesterol, etc.. but also in the mirror. We can’t eat like a bird and expect our bodies to adapt and change. Don’t think about losing weight, think about adding muscle through clean, whole foods.

Lean proteins (chicken, beef, fish, eggs)
Fruits & veggies (as many colors as possible)
Whole carbs (rice, oats, potatoes, quinoa)
Healthy fats (avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil)
And plenty of water

✅ Post-Workout Protein: Protein shakes are absolutely allowed — especially right after training. You can grab high-quality protein right here at Iron Cowboy to keep recovery consistent and convenient.

✅ Meal Timing: Put more carbs or a higher % of current carbs around your workout! If you train in the morning, eat a breakfast loaded with carbs and have the veggies and lighter carbs in the afternoon. The opposite if you train in the afternoon.

✅ Accessory Strength: The daily WOD is great, but building muscle is a key factor in changing the way our body looks. You will see “mini-pump” workouts at the bottom of the “FLEX” workout track. Don’t hesitate to hit some or all of these pre/post WOD. Muscle burns more calories when we are resting. Thats right, it forces our body to utilize calories for fuel just when we sit around.

2. Sleep

Sleep is your recovery weapon. Aim for 7+ hours each night.
Can’t get that yet? Start small — any improvement makes a difference.

3. Hydration

Drink at least half your body weight (in pounds) in ounces of water per day.
Example: 200 lbs = 100 oz of water daily.
Hydration affects energy, recovery, and even fat loss. Keep your bottle close and stay on it.

HOW TO WIN

The winning team will have the highest combined percentage change in body weight.

🏆 Bonus: If each teammate posts 2 healthy recipes during the challenge in our Iron Cowboy Social Feed ( on app) & gets a Dexa Scan before and after can earn their team an extra 0.5% bonus on their final total.

HOW TO JOIN

Find a Partner: Teams can be same-sex or coed. Need a teammate? We’ll help pair you up. Also, a great reason to drag a new friend with you to the gym!
Sign Up: Add your names to the sign-up sheet at the gym by December 26th!
Weigh-In:
- Initial weigh-ins: December 29th- January 2nd
- Final weigh-ins: February 16-18th, 2026
- All weigh-ins are private and done by a coach.
- Please wear light clothing (no shoes or jackets).
- Dexa Scans must be done in the same weigh in windows. SWC Memorial Hospital and Castle Rock Medical Center both do DEXA Scans.
- Entry fee ($25 per person) is due at weigh-in — cash only (it goes straight to the prize pool).
Winner Announced: February 19th, 2026

TIME TO COMMIT

Stop overthinking it — just start.
Six weeks, you’ll be stronger, leaner, and feeling better than you have in a long time.
We’ll guide you the whole way.

Iron Cowboy Nutrition Challenge 2026
Fuel. Peroform. Recover.