Happy April!
I’m currently writing this from my couch, procrastinating going on my long run because it’s raining outside (and will be for the next few days). Unsurprisingly to everyone, it’s been over a month since my low buy, and I’ve been itching to start another lifestyle challenge. This time, I’m going to be trying a modified version of 75 Hard.
75 Hard is a mental toughness program created by entrepreneur Andy Frisella. It went viral in the early 2020s, and I actually completed a (modified) version of it in 2024. Participants of the program have to complete five tasks a day, every day, for seventy-five days straight without any compromises. These tasks are:
- Completing two 45-minute workouts, one of which must be outside. The two workouts must be at least three to four hours apart,
- Taking a full-body progress photo,
- Drinking a gallon of water (without any additives)1,
- Following a diet of the participant’s choosing without any cheat meals or alcohol; and,
- Reading ten pages of a non-fiction / self-help book.
Failing to complete any of these tasks means that a participant “fails” the program and has to start again from Day One.
As a Type A, I enjoyed the rigour and challenge of the program. I quickly learned that the real challenge of the program wasn’t getting the tasks done themselves, but being consistent for seventy-five days straight. Some days were much harder than others.
This winter has kicked my ass a little bit, and I’ve been struggling with consistently prioritizing myself. I want to get back into a routine, and I think the forced routine of 75 Hard might be perfect. This being said, this time, I’m going to be substantially changing the rules because the traditional 75 Hard doesn’t make a lot of sense for me.
Here are the rules I’ll be following instead:
1. Complete 90 minutes of exercise. This can be done all at once or divided into multiple sessions throughout the day. Activity can be as strenuous as running or as simple as stretching, yoga or walking. I’m very active already- I run three times a week, often for sessions longer than an hour at a time. Especially on long run days, it doesn’t make sense to force myself to do a second 45-minute workout later in the day.
2. Track my spending. This task replaces the progress photo task. When I did 75 Hard the first time, I didn’t get any benefit out of the progress photos- I actually deleted them all shortly after the challenge was over. Especially today, I have no desire to change what my body looks like in any way, so I really don’t think the photos make sense. Keeping an eye on my spending is a much better use of my time.
3. Drink 60oz of water. Additives such as fruit for natural flavouring or electrolytes are permitted. My usual water intake is quite low. When I did 75 Hard the first time, I was miserable even drinking 90oz of water a day- my body never adjusted to the intake. Maybe a gallon of water makes sense for Andy Frisella, a 6ft tall man, but I continue to stand by the notion that a gallon of water is completely excessive for a 154cm woman such as myself.
4. Eat intuitively/mindfully. I’m not a fan of diets involving eliminating certain foods or food groups, and I’m also trying to move away from tracking numbers. I’m focusing on eating when I’m hungry and stopping when I’m satiated.
5. Read ten pages of any physical book. The books can be fiction or non-fiction. I regularly read a mix of fiction and non-fiction anyway.
I’m calling the challenge 75 Medium. By the time this post is published, I will have completed the first week. It’s my intention to post updates throughout the course of the program, so hopefully you’ll see some of those soon.
In the meantime, I hope you’re having a lovely (if rainy) start to spring.
With love,
Laura Kate
- This was the rule I modified- I only drank 90oz of water. ↩︎
Laura Katherine 