The 7 day lean and mobile challenge
Hello anybody reading this my name is David Finau I'm 36 years old and I work and live in Scotts valley California! Just wrapped up Coach Mario Dominguez’s 7-Day Challenge! The goal was simple: pick a fasting window, a diet, and a workout plan—and stick with them. I chose to focus on flexibility and mobility, since I’ve been over 300 lbs for most of the last decade, and at 36, moving like I used to isn’t as easy anymore. I handle heavy lifting in my day-to-day life and on the job, so rebuilding a solid foundation for injury resistance is a must. I absolutely can’t do the desk job life—I need to move, no matter how good the paycheck is. I followed the 16:8 fasting plan, eating from 6 AM to 2 PM. I wasn’t able to stick to Mario’s exact meal plan due to tight finances, and I slipped a bit the last couple of days. But even then, I felt the difference. Just adjusting my eating window had a real impact—especially noticing how much better I slept and woke up when I didn’t go to bed on a full stomach. The mobility flow exercises were always a welcome wake-up call. They helped me stretch and recover from the previous day’s work and left me feeling looser and more ready for the next challenge. Sleep was the toughest part for me. Between work, errands, and this challenge, I was often up until 11 and back up by 5 AM. That took a toll. Once I adjusted and prioritized sleep, everything else started to click. Honestly, if I had to rank what mattered most for success in this challenge, it’d be: 1. Sleep 2. Exercise 3. Fasting/feeding window Don’t underestimate that last one! The timing of your meals matters more than you might expect. You'll notice the three photos below day one is where I started. Day five I'm a little bit tighter a little bit leaner. Day 7 after 2 days not staying within my fasting window you can see how it kind of came floating back but I still feel really good ability wise. This challenge is perfect for anyone—whether you’re a former athlete who lost momentum after school or someone who’s never exercised a day in your life. There’s always a level zero to start from. Don’t be intimidated or discouraged, and don’t believe the lie that you can’t do it. If you’re reading this, you’re alive and breathing—and that means you’ve got a chance today. I hope you take it.