I Finished 75 Hard Today & I'll Never Do It Again

I completed #75Hard today, and let me tell you, I won't do it again.?

For those unfamiliar, 75 Hard is a grueling mental and physical toughness program that demands a lot from its participants. They say less than 1% of people finish it.?

Over 75 consecutive days, you commit to:

• drinking a gallon of water daily
• engaging in two separate 45-minute workouts (one of which must be outdoors) daily
• adhering to a chosen diet without cheat meals?daily
• abstaining from alcohol?daily
• and reading ten pages of a personal development or non-fiction book daily.?

And if you miss any of these tasks on any given day, you have to start over on day one.?

My boyfriend, Asencio Renteria-Vigil , and I started 75 Hard on February 22, 2024.?

As many can relate, the beginning of the year often brings its?own?challenges—harsh winters, dwindling social engagements due to the weather—it can be a tough time until the warmth of spring emerges.?

However, as enthusiasts of personal development and challenges, we saw 75 Hard as an opportunity to elevate our game and kick off the year with a bang.

It was my idea to take on this challenge, having dabbled in it four years prior, although unsuccessfully.?

Why attempt it again??

Well, I thrive on challenges, whether they're mental or physical. And this time I have a partner to do it with.?

I've tackled challenges far more daunting than 75 Hard, from teaching fitness classes in front of hundreds of people to solo traveling through 30 countries for nearly three years.?

So, naturally, the challenge didn't intimidate me; if anything, it intrigued me.

I'd heard stories of the brutality of 75 Hard from friends who had undertaken it, but I felt prepared.?

I knew it would push me, but I was confident in my ability to handle it.?

Convincing my boyfriend, Asencio, to join me was easy; we were both seeking something to invigorate us and propel us forward in the new year.

So, curious as to how it?went?

Here's a breakdown of my experience:

Days 1-10:?

Looking back, the first ten days feel like a distant memory. While the routines were new and required adjustment, they didn't disrupt my life entirely.?

Given my existing commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle, the primary challenge for me was refining my diet—opting for lower gluten, lower dairy, and a higher protein intake—and extending my daily workouts from one hour to an hour and a half, and not taking a rest day each week.?

Okay... so maybe that is quite a bit of a disruption!?

Additionally, I had to decide on the content of both my indoor and outdoor workouts. After experimenting with various routines initially, I settled on a regimen of 45-minute outdoor walks paired with a 45-minute Pilates class. On days when I couldn't attend a Pilates class, I substituted it with a 45-minute weight lifting session.

Those initial days?actually?showed me a lot about myself.?

I discovered that both my mind and body are FAR more resilient than I had ever given myself credit for. I knew I was tough, but not THAT tough.?

Notably, during the first week of 75 Hard, I participated in a 5k race, securing a third-place finish. Normally, I would have been exhausted post-race, with the rest of my day being filled with pasta and naps and rewatching Emily in Paris.??

However, knowing I still had another workout to complete, I pushed through my fatigue and headed straight to the gym upon returning home. This experience showed the immense mental strength I possess and reaffirmed that perceived barriers are often more psychological than physical.

This next segment may be TMI, but in a professional landscape occupied by strong women who deal with these issues every single damn month, I'll share my story:

One of the early hurdles I encountered was navigating "that time of the month."?

I'm usually brutally exhausted during this time of the month, living off of chocolate and bread and more pasta. Women's hormones are insane.?

However, rather than succumbing to temptation, I made deliberate dietary choices and committed to completing my two daily workouts.?

It's no secret that this period of the month is physically and emotionally taxing for women.?

Women?don't have the ability to?take time off and rest like we need, we just have to keep pushing through our daily work and family lives, acting like nothing is wrong (this is a rant for another time, I'll carry on).?

Yet, I persevered, adhering to the 75 Hard regimen?and?emerged from the experience with a profound sense of pride of how tough my body is.?

Honestly, I found that engaging in physical activity, such as walking, actually alleviated some of the discomfort associated with this time of the month. And it's something I will keep note of in the future.?

Lessons from Days 1-10:

• I possess greater mental and physical resilience than I previously believed.
• It's important to periodically push my body beyond its comfort zone, as growth often lies outside familiar territory.

Days 11-40:

The days between Day 11 and Day 40 blur together in my memory.?

What month was it? What did each day feel like? I can't quite recall.?

Reflecting on this period, I realize that these cold winter months, typically hazy and unremarkable, took on a new significance as I pursued my mental and physical goals.

One standout realization from this time frame was the abundance of personal time at my disposal.?

Despite the hustle and bustle of weekends filled with social gatherings and family events, I managed to carve out time for myself and my goals.?

In the past, such busy schedules might have sidelined my health plans. If I?have?an event that night, I wouldn't?workout?that day.?

However, during 75 Hard, I prioritized my goals, making deliberate choices to honor my commitments.?

This often meant getting up at 6 am to fit in both workouts, bringing my?own?food options to dinner parties, suggesting restaurants that had gluten and dairy-free options, and forgoing the occasional cocktail with friends on a Friday night.?

Looking back, I'm astounded by how much I managed to accomplish amidst the blur of activity.?

Key Lessons from Days 11-40:

• There's always time in the day to dedicate to personal well-being and goals. You just have to cave out the time which often means being uncomfortable waking up early or staying up late.?
• Social commitments shouldn't derail my health goals; with mindful planning, I can find a balance.?
• While I may not indulge often, I DO miss the social aspect of sharing a cocktail with friends on a weekend.?

Days 41-55:

Let me be blunt—these days were ROUGH.?

Days 41-55 marked the point where the challenge intensified significantly.

First, some context:?

During this period, Ase and I were knee-deep in the stressful process of purchasing a home. We encountered so many setbacks, including falling out of contract on not one, but two condos due to HOA issues. (HOAs suck but this is also another article for another time lol).?

Just a week before our scheduled closing date, we received the devastating news that we couldn't proceed due to HOA restrictions, forcing us to find a new apartment within a mere 24 hours.?

Needless to say, stress levels were through the roof, and exhaustion was our constant companion throughout the home-buying process.

What made this time particularly grueling was that amidst the chaos of moving, we still had to prioritize our workouts, all while contending with the harsh winter conditions and nearly two feet of snow at times.?

Additionally, both Ase and I sustained injuries from separate workouts. He had some hip issues and I pulled my oblique muscle during Pilates. Our bodies were far from operating at full capacity.

However, amidst the chaos and physical challenges, we had one constant: the unwavering commitment to our goals.?

Despite the overwhelming circumstances, we remained steadfast in completing our workouts and staying on track with 75 Hard.

(If you are injured, I do recommend resting and recovering, in my situation, I knew I was going to be okay and it was safe to continue my workouts).?

I tell Ase this often, but I firmly believe that undertaking 75 Hard during such a turbulent time prevented us from veering off course with our health goals.

Key Lessons from Days 41-55:

• It's during times when we least feel like exercising, eating well, or staying on track that doing so becomes most crucial.
• Engaging in physical activity during extremely stressful periods can significantly alleviate stress levels, making the challenges more manageable.

Days 56-75:

By the time I reached Day 60, I sensed a shift.?

I had broken through a barrier and could see the finish line in the distance. It was an exhilarating feeling—one of accomplishment and determination. But looming ahead were eight days of intense travel.

During this period, Ase and I traveled to my home in Kansas City to reconnect with family, and I went on a work trip to Chicago and Miami.?

Typically, such trips would entail a hiatus from workouts, indulgent dining, and a few extra drinks to celebrate reunions.?

However, this time was different.?

While the visit to Kansas City was a breeze, my work trip presented a mental challenge. I had to muster the discipline to wake up at 5:30 am for workouts, resist the temptation to stay out late and maintain my routine despite the demands of travel.

Reflecting on this experience, I realized the significance of maintaining a healthy routine while on the road. Though it was undoubtedly exhausting, the rewards were undeniable.?

I felt more productive and focused, and remarkably, I didn't require the usual three-day recovery period upon returning home.?

The lesson learned??

I NEED to strike a better balance when I'm on the go. Whether it's committing to a daily workout or moderating my dining choices, finding equilibrium while traveling is essential. After all, there's nothing quite like returning home from a trip feeling rejuvenated, rather than in need of another vacation.

Day 75 and beyond:

Today marks the final day of 75 Hard.?

As I write this, I still have one more workout to complete and about 50 ounces of water left to drink.?

I wish I had a more fitting progress photo to share because, truth be told, my body has?100% transformed—I'm high-key shredded and edging close to a six-pack.?

Looking ahead, I intend to maintain many of the habits I created during these past 75 days.?

I'll continue with my regimen of walking and Pilates five days a week, ensuring I stay hydrated by drinking around 100 ounces of water daily, and dedicating time to reading a few times per week.

But let me tell you, tomorrow Ase and I are excited to celebrate.?

We're heading out to a wine and whiskey cocktail bar, and we couldn't be more excited.?

We're ready to?give our bodies the opportunity?to rest and recover, even as we commit to maintaining many of the healthy habits we've adopted during 75 Hard.

Now, you might be wondering why I noted at the beginning of this article that I'll never do it again.?

Well, here's my rationale:

I've come to realize that I may not be the target audience for this program.?

While I've certainly seen results and experienced a fantastic kickstart to the year, the program didn't bring about the transformative, life-changing experience I had seen for so many.?

As someone already deeply invested in fitness and nutrition, I didn't find 75 Hard to be entirely tailored to my needs. That being said, it DID show me how many amazing habits I already have in place that most don't. And I do have a solid understanding of the commitment I need to have in place to achieve my health goals.?

I DO, though, believe it's an excellent program for individuals who are looking to kickstart their fitness journey or overcome a rut in their health habits.

Is 75 Hard sustainable??

Clearly?not.?

The program is undeniably challenging, requiring a resilient mindset to see it through to the end.?

I'm immensely grateful to have had Ase by my side throughout the journey—a source of support and encouragement that made all the difference.

As for the future, here's my plan:?

I'll commit to a modified version of 75 Hard each year, but for a shorter duration—30 days, ideally starting in January. Think of it as a "30 Hard," akin to Dry January but with a focus on overall wellness. It seems like a nice kickstart to the year.?

And with that, I'm signing off.?

Tomorrow, I'll be raising a glass with Ase, basking in the joy of balance and the simple pleasures of life.?

Cheers to the journey—and to finding harmony in all aspects of our well-being.