The Mark Teixeira No Fun Diet Challenge

Watching what you eat isn’t likely to get you promoted to the New York Yankees, but if you’ve got 30 days, you, too, can change your life.

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Update: Join the Mark Teixeira No Fun Diet Challenge here.

As this year’s “No One Predicted That!” baseball player, Mark Teixeira, first baseman for the New York Yankees, is inexplicably having one of the best seasons of his career.

Not that the man himself is all that surprised. Teixeira is quick to attribute his resurgence to what he calls his No Fun Diet. After struggling with injuries and a general lack of production in recent seasons, he decided in the off-season that it was time for a change. A new trainer helped Teixeira see that he was eating foods that were highly inflammatory, and since inflammation had robbed him of power at the plate after suffering a serious wrist injury, the dietary adjustment seemed like a low-risk option.

In fact, the impact of Teixeira’s new diet has gone beyond the power numbers (he is on pace for 45+ homers this season). In just this past week, the Yankee stole a base (yes, he stole a base!), beat up a trash can, and tallied a few multi-home run games.

So, what good could come from following in the footsteps of some Major Leaguer’s nutritionary epiphany?

Great question.

My partner is the Director of Development for an organization called Harlem RBI. Harlem RBI provides inner-city youth with opportunities to Play, Learn and Grow. By coaching, teaching and inspiring youth to recognize their potential, Harlem RBI is helping these kids realize their dreams.

Teixeira happens to be an incredibly active member of the organization’s Board of Directors. It is my hope that his No Fun Diet can lead to more than some home runs and a ring. Maybe it can help some amazing kids do some amazing things. So check it out. Here’s the donation page.

The 3 Components of the Mark Teixeira ‘No Fun’ Diet (prepare yourself):

You canNOT consume Dairy

You canNOT consume Gluten

You canNOT consume Sugar

The “Mark Teixeira No Fun Diet Challenge” will start September 8 and run for one month, until the last regular season game is played. From that point on, you can (hopefully) celebrate the Yankees’ trip to the playoffs by gorging yourself on donuts and ice cream. Until then, your taste buds will cry. This diet is truly NO FUN.

In case you’re wondering why this interests me, I can give you 3 really good reasons.

  1. I’m a die hard Yankees fan.
  2. I have an autoimmune and inflammatory neuromuscular condition (and the heat of this summer has done a number on me). I want to see if this diet can have a positive impact on my body.
  3. I thought it might be a great way to raise awareness and maybe a few bucks.

If you’re interested in participating, please reach out and let me know. I’m curious to see if there will be any interest. Perhaps we can motivate one another, I’d love to know what a low inflammation diet could mean for you. Or perhaps we can motivate Tex, and help him in his push for a long and exciting post season.

Are you in?