On December 26, Mark and I started the 75 Hard Challenge. If you aren’t familiar with the challenge here is what it entails. 

•A progress photo

•10 pages of a non fiction physical book

•No alcohol

•Some kind of diet (your choice)

•Two 45 minute workouts, one needs to be outdoors

•A gallon of water

I’ve had a lot of requests to do a report on how the challenge was so here we go. 

It was hard, LOL.

No, but really. It was mentally and physically challenging. Mostly mentally because you had to make a choice every single to day to continue to do the challenges. If you miss a day you start back at Day 1 and I didn’t want to do that. 

We started this in Winter and I don’t know if I would recommend that but we made it work. I am not a cold weather person so when it snowed and rained on the days we had to go outside I was in a crabby mood but I pushed through.

I only travelled once during the challenge and that was tough. Mostly because of the water intake and meetings. I got up early each morning while I was traveling to get my outdoor workout in and then did my other workout in my hotel room. 

Things I learned. I need to be intentional. Going to bed earlier and getting up earlier is key to being able to fit in your workouts and reading. I found myself working out some nights really late because that was the only time I could fit it in, but I did it and I was proud of myself. I tried not to make that a habit because I noticed when I did that it threw off my sleep. 

I also learned that I am so much stronger than I thought. Like I said, this was a mental challenge and it made me realize that I really can do anything I set my mind to. It gave me more confidence which I wasn’t expecting that kind of confidence but I love that I got it!

I loved doing this with Mark. We often did our outdoor walks together and during that time we spent catching up with each other and having really great conversations. I loved having the accountably with Mark and also the intentional time together. I would say that was an un expected benefit of this challenge. Mark and I grew closer together.

I thought that the water intake was going to be the hardest part of this challenge but it wasn’t. The first few days were tough but after that my body got used to it and wanted the water. We got these water bottles* off of Amazon to help us with the intake and it really helped!

 

I read 4 books. I like to read but don’t make the time for it so it was really nice to read some of the books that I’ve wanted to to and add some new ones to my list as well. 

For my workouts I used the Peloton app every day and found out how much I enjoy working out. 

I lost 9 pounds. I wish that I would have measured inches because that would have been fun to see. 

BEFORE- Day 1 of the challenge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER-These are on Day 75 (don’t mind my Frownies on my face😂)

 

Overall it was a fantastic experience. I’m so glad it’s over but I learned so much from it. We are going to continue to work out but only once and not every day. I am doing my best to consume as close to a gallon of water a day as possible but I’m not stressing about it. Like I said, my body craves it. 

If you’re thinking about doing the challenge I highly recommend it as a reset. It was just what I needed and am glad I did it!

 

*I am an Amazon Associate and will earn a small commission when you click on my link and purchase.