This post is all about the 75 hard results and experiences after finishing 75 hard.
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If you’ve been scrolling through social media, chances are you’ve come across the viral 75 Hard challenge. Since 2020, more than a million people have given it a shot – or at least that’s what Instagram tells us.
It’s practically impossible to scroll through your Instagram feed without stumbling upon someone’s before and after snapshots and 75 hard results.
Yet, amidst its surging popularity, a heated debate’s going on about whether the 75 hard challenge is harmful for you or is it worth it?
Don’t worry! I took the jump and tried 75 Hard, so you don’t have to do it and see if it’s the real deal or just hype. In this blog post, I’m sharing my personal experiences & 75 hard results, the good stuff I got out of it, and the not-so-fun parts.
Plus, I’ll spill the beans on how I changed up the challenge to fit my own life – trust me, that part’s super important.
When I first stumbled upon the concept of 75 Hard, I was equal parts intrigued and skeptical. Doubting if this challenge is for beginners, how many rest days you get, or is there an easier alternative to this?
If you have similar doubts – don’t worry, I’m here to clear the air and provide the answers to the most frequently asked 75 hard questions and share my 75 hard results!
This post is all about the 75 hard results and experiences after finishing 75 hard.
What Is 75 Hard & 75 Hard Rules
75 hard is a challenge started by Andy Frisella, according to which, you have to follow 6 rules for 75 days straight. If you skip a day, you have to start again.
It’s meant to push your mental & physical capacity to it’s fullest. Having completed this challenge recently, I can vouch that this challenge WILL help you step out of your comfort zone more than once.
Here are the 6 rules you need to follow during 75 hard :
- Follow a strict diet with no cheat meals.
- Complete two 45-minute workouts daily.
- One must be outdoors.
- Drink one gallon (3.8 liters) of water daily.
- Read at least ten pages of a non-fiction book daily.
- Take a progress picture every day.
If you’ve no idea what 75 hard really is, here’s an exhaustive guide on the 75 hard challenge.
Looking at the rules, you might think that this challenge is meant to get you in your best shape possible, but according to Andy, this challenge is more so focused on building mental strength.
If you’re thinking of starting 75 hard, I’d highly recommend listening to this podcast.
Does 75 Hard really work?
Here comes the big question!
Statistically, 90% of the people who start 75 Hard fail. That poses the question whether 75 Hard is even realistic or not?
To be honest : I really think the answer depends on what your goals are with 75 hard? If you want to build mental strength, 75 hard is perfect for you! The biggest results I got from this challenge was an improved confidence and self esteem.
In terms of physical gains, 75 hard results helped me build a consistent routine, be more intentional with food and improve discipline, but there wasn’t a huge difference in terms of the numbers on the scale, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Also, at the same time, this challenge won’t help you in creating a sustainable routine that you can continue after 75 days.
How to make this challenge work for you?
75 hard is a very strict challenge but there’s no point of going through 75 days of mayhem if it’s only going to hamper your mental and physical health.
I think, you can tweak a rule or two to make this challenge work better for you. But once you set these rules, don’t slack down.
For eg, instead of reading 10 pages, you can opt for audiobooks. But once you make that choice, no slacking.
Here’s what I did – I only worked out once, instead of twice. Partly because of time constraints, and partly because I’m pretty new to workouts and never did more than 20 minutes before.
Could I have done 2 workouts if I pushed myself ? Well, yes. But I thought this was a good way to make slow progress and make this challenge work for me!
Give yourself permission to not go too hard on yourself.
75 Hard Results : Benefits, Challenges & Lessons
Benefits : 75 Hard Results
1. confidence
This is the best 75 hard results I got. Completing a challenge this tough gives you a chance to prove to yourself that you can achieve anything you set your mind to!
I was so scared of failing this challenge that I didn’t even tell my friends when I started. So finishing 75 hard really helped me change that self image.
Related Post : How To Build Confidence As A Woman Who’s Very Self Critical
2. developed new habits
They say it takes 21 days to build a new habit. Now, triple it. That’s what 75 hard does for you. It not only helps you start new habits but also develop the discipline you need to build a healthy lifestyle.
And once you find out which habits have the most significant impact on your life, you can continue them even after 75 hard. I kept 3 of these habits in my routine (more on this below).
Related Post : How To Develop Self Discipline
3. intentional about what you put in your body
I used to be a big mood eater – looking for my escape in food, every time I was sad or bored.
75 hard really helped me break that unhealthy relationship with food and be more intentional about what I’m eating and why – Is it because I’m hungry or just bored?
On a side note, I also realized the impact of food on relationships – when you take alcohol and food out of the equation, a lot of your social plans change.
4. mental strength
I’d say everyone should do 75 hard at least once just for this 75 hard results.
This challenge will really make you realize that you can do anything you put your mind to. And you’d have tons of evidence backing it up.
For me, I made a list of all the small challenges I overcame during 75 hard – be it going on a walk on a rainy day, or not giving into the peer pressure to break my diet.
5. physical benefits
Of course, we can’t forget the physical gains from 75 hard results. You would start feeling more energetic, gain physical strength and build discipline that’ll spill over into other areas of your life as well.
Take it from someone who’s never loved working out, I’ve finally created a workout routine that I enjoy, thanks to this challenge.
Challenges : 75 Hard Results
1. travel
Finishing these 6 rules while travelling is going to be challenging. Specially, managing the time and energy to fit in 2 workouts.
One of my most difficult 75 hard days was when I was travelling from 6 am to 10 pm (not even exagerating) – trying to read on my Kindle and walk in between rest stops, haha.
But when you overcome days like these, the normal days seem like a peice of cake.
Btw, if you travel a lot, getting yourself a Kindle is going to be a life saver!
2. Lack of balance
There’s no denying that 75 hard does not help you create a balanced lifestyle.
Even experts and doctors recommend having at least one rest day in your week. But not being able to skip a day during 75 hard can take a toll on your health and create feelings of overwhelm.
Pay attention to your body and learn to tell the difference between being lazy and genuinely being worn out.
3. Weather conditions
The weather can be a real challenge when you’re working-out outside. It might rain or get super hot or cold where you are.
Dealing with this will also test your discipline. I’ve been there, and let me tell you, going for a walk when the weather’s not great makes you feel pretty strong.
But remember, safety first – don’t take unnecessary risks.
4. mental exhaustion
No matter how much you prepare before hand, this challenge is going to test your mental strength! There are going to be some days where quitting would seem like an easier option.
The best thing to do to overcome this battle is to focus on the present. Use the thought ‘I only need to do this right now’ instead of getting overwhelmed about the future.
5. managing Time
It’s no secret that finishing 75 hard rules would take some time out of your day. I mean, completing two 45-min workouts and reading 10 pages, along with your regular job is going to be time consuming.
Not to mention the time it takes to deal with the mental exhaustion as well. *sigh*
How to manage your time?
The best way is to plan your workouts in advance. And schedule them at a specific time. You can also tweak the rules to fit to your routines. For eg, only doing 1 workout every day.
I also like to time block my days so I can easily schedule my workouts in my free blocks. Here’s a time block planner you can use.
Also, you can stack your new habits on top of existing ones to keep things simple. For eg, reading 10 pages right after you finish work.
Related Post : Lazy Girl’s Guide To Staying Consistent With Your Daily Routine
6. it’s Not suitable for everyone
While 75 hard is a genius challenge and will help you build mental strength and confidence, it’s not suitable for everyone.
Especially if you think such strict schedules can hamper your mental health or strain your body too much.
You know what’s best for you. So use your judgement before starting the challenge.
75 Hard FAQs
Is 75 Hard good for beginners?
Honestly, no. If you’re a beginner and are just starting to workout or develop healthy habits, this challenge can be a bit too much. Especially when you get no rest days in between.
I think it’s better to pick 1-2 habits from this challenge, stay consistent with them first and then after a couple of months, start 75 hard.
If you’re not a complete beginner and want to start 75 hard, here’s a checklist that’ll prepare you for sure.
Does walking count 75 Hard?
Absolutely yes! Walks were my favorite form of workouts during 75 hard. I also tried home workouts, yoga and swimming. But nothing beats a good ol evening walk. They’re perfect to clear your head, breathe outside, and get some steps in.
Does 75 Hard have rest days?
No. There are no rest days in 75 hard. You have to follow the 6 rules for 75 days straight. If you skip a day, for whatever reason, you need to start again from Day 1. However, I believe that instead of being too strict and particular about every rule, just let yourself off the hook. Not all days are the same!
How do you stay motivated throughout the 75 days?
If you have a strong enough ‘why’ for starting the 75 hard challenge, you’d be able to pick yourself up on the bad days too.
Another thing is to look back at how far you’ve come. Even if you’re on Day 14 of 75 hard, instead of worrying about the future, you need to appreciate the fact that you did something for 14 days straight.
One thing I did was to create an accomplishment list of all the small challenges I overcame during 75 hard, like going on a walk when it was raining. Going through this list can really make you feel proud and motivated.
How to succeed at 75 Hard?
Even though 75 hard may look like a physical fitness challenge, mindset is the one thing that’ll help you succeed at 75 hard.
The main reason people feel overwhelm & quit is because they start worrying about Day 75 on Day 20. The best way to push through 75 hard is by taking it ‘One Day At A Time’.
Every time you feel like you’re failing, just remind yourself to ‘Do the workout’, ‘Or read the book’ or ‘Control your temptations’ just today, and forget about tomorrow.
Also, even though the mindset is the main thing, there are also systems that you can set to prepare & organize for the challenge. Here are 10 essential things you need before starting 75 hard.
Is there an easier challenge than 75 Hard?
Yes, there are a few easier alternative to 75 hard that you can start with.
1) 75 Soft – It’s a challenge designed by a fitness blogger, Sydney, to help you have a more flexible alternative to 75 hard. Here’s the 75 soft checklist you need.
2) 30 Day Challenges – You can get started with a simple 30 day challenge (like this one!) to build some momentum before taking up 75 hard. Here are 20+ 30 day challenge ideas to try from.
5 things I learned from the 75 hard challenge
- We put a lot of barriers in my head. For me, it was my thought that I don’t like working out or that I’m a foodie.
- We’re not intentional with what we put in our body. I realized that before 75 hard I was eating junk just for the sake of it.
- You have more time than you think. Like literally! I felt that too but I did find time for workouts even on trips.
- When you hold yourself accountable, you show up better.
- Sometimes doing things just for the sake of doing them reduces the quality. So basically, I love reading but having a strict rule that I have to read 10 pages everyday, made me just skim through the pages sometimes.
- Finding a routine that works for you! When you do something so extreme, it makes it easier for you to understand what things you want to add to your everyday routine.
Will I continue this challenge after 75 day?
For all the amazing benefits that 75 hard gives, I still don’t think that this is a sustainable way to live.
I truly believe that the best lifestyle is a balanced one. And while challenges like 75 hard are great to push yourself for a certain period of time, it’s not something you base your routines off of. 💁♀️
Here are the changes I’m making in my routine after finishing 75 hard :
- I’m still going to workout for at least 45 minutes everyday, but only one workout.
- I’m still going to read everyday, but it’s not based on how many pages I read.
- Only having cheat days on the weekend. (I’m tryinggg)
- I also want to add a new habit of journaling everyday.
This post is all about the 75 hard results and experiences after finishing 75 hard.
Related Post
1) 75 Hard Checklist : 15 Essentials You Need Before Starting 75 Hard
2) Ultimate Guide To The 75 Hard Challenge
3) Don’t Make These Mistakes During 75 Hard