75 Hard

For the past few years I have intermittently participated in a fitness challenge called 75 Hard. The premise of the program is straightforward and specific. There’s really nothing outrageous involved other than the 75 part.

For 75 consecutive days:
Perform two 45-minute workouts each day, one of which must be done outdoors
Take a progress picture
Read 10 pages of a self-help book
Drink 1 gallon of water
Follow a diet
No cheat meals or alcohol…
FOR 75 DAYS!

If you miss a day or one of the activities, you have to go back to Day 1. I’ve started over more times than I’ve completed the program, but I’m proud to say I’ve had some successes, too.

I love a fitness challenge and I find this program physically, mentally, and spiritually rewarding. The discipline it takes to complete all 7 tasks on the daily is the hardest part for me. I’ve been known to get out of bed at 10pm because I forgot to take a progress picture. I’m also very familiar with the consequences of not getting a gallon of water consumed before 3pm. Suffice it to say, I should have counted all the nocturnal trips to the loo as exercise.

Physically, two 45 minute workouts a day come easily. I count walking my pup for 45 minutes as one; the other 45 minutes are spent either running, swimming, or lifting…activities I love.

Spiritually, I choose self-help books that feed my soul. I love anything written by the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, or Anne Lamott. On the occasions that I completed all 75 days, I read at least 3 books during that time.

The mental piece is the hardest for me. It takes a hella determination for me to make it 75 days straight. Sometimes life (or Covid) gets in the way. A few months ago, I was on day 40 but headed out of town for a week. I was proud of myself for getting that far but knew to continue the program while visiting friends would jeopardize my time with them. Friends come first. (Evidently its true that one gets wiser with age.) Nonetheless, when I returned, I started over. A friend suggested I pick up where I left off. I explained Catholic guilt would get the best of me for cheating.

I watch my children, nieces, and nephews setting excellent fitness examples for their children and other littles and I’m inspired by their emphasis on healthy living. What a wonderful way to spend time as a family while modeling exercise as fun. Hiking, biking, swimming, skating, skiing…the list is endless.

A dear friend’s dad used to say: “Most people rust out before they wear out.” It may take a whole lot of Advil and Biofreeze but I’m up for the challenge.

💪💪💪