75 Hard Challenge? Here’s How I’m Actually Getting my Life Together This New Year

75 Hard Challenge? Girrl, I’m just trying to remember my water bottle.

75 Hard? How About 75 Not-So-Hard?

It’s that time of year again…

The calendar flips to January, and suddenly, everyone is screaming, “New year, new me!” Resolutions are being scribbled down, gym memberships spike, and it feels like the collective energy is ready for a fresh start.

Cue the 75 Hard Challenge.

If you’ve been anywhere near the fitness world, you’ve probably heard about this infamous program. And let me tell you, people love to talk about it—whether they’re starting it, quitting it, or judging others who attempt it.

But here’s the thing: 75 Hard isn’t for everyone. In fact, for most, it’s just… hard. Like, unrealistically hard. Let’s break it down, shall we?

The Rules of 75 Hard

Here’s what you’re supposed to do every day for 75 days:

• Follow a diet with no cheat meals.

• No alcohol.

• Read 10 pages of a nonfiction book.

• Do two 45-minute workouts (one must be outdoors).

• Drink a gallon of water.

• Take a progress photo.

• Miss a single task? Start over at Day 1.

Uuhhh…. That's QUITE the dang challenge! Who hurt this person? 

The 3 Types of People Who Try 75 Hard

1. The Overachievers

These are the people who crush all 75 days, rave about their mental toughness, and would probably do it again. They’re likely already gym rats or competitors, so this is just a cherry on top of their disciplined lifestyle.

2. The Burnouts

They barely survive 75 days, revert back to their old habits, and wake up on Day 76 eating an entire pizza while swearing off gallon jugs of water forever.

3. The Quitters

They start strong, but let’s be real: life happens. One missed workout or forgotten water bottle later, they’re out.

Is 75 Hard Even Worth It?

Look, I get it. The new year is the perfect time to set big goals and dream about your best self. I’m doing it too! But here’s the catch: jumping into something as intense as 75 Hard without building smaller habits first is like trying to run a marathon when you’ve never jogged a mile.

For most people, the challenge isn’t sustainable. It’s restrictive, time-consuming, and honestly, it sets the bar so high that failure feels inevitable. Worst of all? The aftermath. Restrictive diets and extreme workouts often lead to binge eating, guilt, and a total rebound. Not cute.

What to Do Instead of 75 Hard

The good news? You don’t need to follow an extreme program to achieve your health and fitness goals. Let me share some realistic, sustainable alternatives to kick off your New Year.

1. Add More Fruits and Veggies

This isn’t about going vegan overnight or swearing off pizza. Start small: add a serving of fruit or veggies to one meal per day.

Ideas to try:

• Adding a side salad or roasted veggies to dinner

• Adding raw veggies to your Caesar salads like bell peppers and carrots

• Adding spinach or kale, or avocado to smoothies

• Starting lunch with half a banana or a small clementine 

• Having a baked potato instead of fried rice

• Adding berries to your yogurt instead of snacking on chips

Over time, these tiny changes add up. You’ll naturally eat less processed food and feel better—no guilt, no deprivation.

2. Watch Less TV

Not ready for a 45-minute outdoor walk in January? Same. Instead, cut back on TV time and use it to journal, read, meditate, or stretch.

Fun fact: ditching screens before bed improves your sleep quality by helping your circadian rhythm stabilize. Translation? You’ll wake up less grumpy and more motivated.

3. Drink More Water

A gallon a day might feel overwhelming, but hydrating doesn’t have to be boring. Spice it up with electrolytes (I love LMNT, Prime, or Podium). I can easily drink a full canteen of water if I add electrolytes to it. I’m just not a huge fan of plain water so If that’s what it takes to drink more than I’ll gladly do it, ya know? Or enjoy a warm cup of tea before bed. Bonus points if you mix in magnesium to help you sleep better! That’s what I do lately, my favorite is Spearmint tea! It’s an easy and soothing extra 12 ounces of liquids!

4. Prioritize Sleep

The 75 Hard Challenge doesn’t mention sleep, but getting enough rest is a game-changer. Most people do not get enough sleep, and there have actually been studies done showing that women need more sleep than men. I personally see the best benefit from 9-10 hours of sleep. Do I get that every night? No. But its definitely not your standard 7-8 hours. Start by going to bed 30 minutes earlier. Even that small change can improve your mood, energy, and health.

5. Move Your Body More

You don’t need two 45-minute workouts a day to see results. One of the best things I’ve ever done for my physcial health and strength was join a CrossFit gym. You can try a gym that has classes because what i have found is that not doing a hgrueling workout by yourself is wayyy less daunting when 5-8 other other people are doing the same thing with you. Its unmatched support. But if that’s not your cup of tea then you can increase your daily movements by 

-doing daily house chores

-going for a 10 minute walk after lunch or before dinner

-bringing your dog to the park

-walking a park loop with a friend

-doing at home bodyweight movements for 15-20 minutes 

So, even if you aren’t doing 75 Hard, or if you’ve quit the challenge you can still make progress & see results with your health & fitness. 

Instead of doing 75 Hard, why not try a program that actually fits into your real life? If you’re still not sure where to start with your weight loss journey, I have a 12-week program you can get started today!

This is the exact blueprint that helped me:

• Lose 20 lbs.

• Balance my hormones & stress.

• Work on my personal development & mindset

• Gain confidence and energy.

• Stop self-sabotaging and start loving myself again.

 Click here to enroll & get started on your weight loss journey today!

The great part is that you’ll get video presentations, workbooks, e-books, and bonuses—all at your own pace.

Click here to enroll and make this New Year your healthiest, happiest one yet!

You don’t need an extreme challenge to transform your life. Start small, stay consistent, and be kind to yourself along the way. And if you need a little guidance? I’m here to help.

Let’s skip the overwhelm this year and glow up together!