What Is The 75 Hard Challenge… And Is It Actually Good For You?

Introduction

This year, I promised myself that any resolutions I made would not be restrictive, punishing, or too difficult. But if this holistic approach to my health and wellbeing felt right to me, the internet, it seems, had other ideas. A new social media trend, the 75 Hard challenge (global Google searches for which are up 3,050 percent in the last 30 days alone), has permeated my feeds, with those participating documenting their experiences of the challenge online. It sounds hard because it is.

What is the 75 Hard Challenge?

A quick Google of the 75 Hard tells me that, despite the current social media buzz, this is nothing new–it’s been around for four years or so already. While I promise to take a balanced approach as I explore the challenge with you, dear reader, I feel duty-bound to point out that it was created by a CEO of a supplement company, which strikes me as a little fishy.

Rules of 75 Hard

• Follow a nutrition plan of your choice–no alcohol or cheat meals allowed.
• Do two 45-minute workouts each day, one indoors and another outdoors.
• Drink a gallon of water each day.
• Read 10 pages of a self-improvement book each day.
• Take a progress picture each day.

The Military Approach, Decoded

It sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? I’m exhausted just reading it, but I have deep respect for anyone who is able to complete this challenge. Slotting just one 45-minute workout into my day is hard enough–two feels out of the question–and having zero cheat meals at all in nearly three months feels almost military.

Expert Opinions

One of the most common stories I hear from clients is that they’ve tried multiple diets, multiple workout regimes, and have either not achieved the results they wanted or have achieved them, then lost them, then tried something else to achieve them again, and ended up in a yo-yo type situation with both food and exercise,” says Luke Worthington, celebrity trainer.

Healthy Incorporation of 75 Hard Elements

“The core facets of 75 Hard are beneficial–a healthy diet, regular movement, reading, hydration and focusing on the things we’re proud of,” says Weekers. “But there are easier and more attainable ways to commit to it that can contribute to lasting lifestyle changes.”

Conclusion

My initial reaction to the 75 Hard challenge was one of concern. Having spoken to several experts, it seems I’m not alone. It’s yet another social media challenge billed as a tool to help us grow stronger, mentally and physically. But the reality smacks of a marketing ploy dreamed up by someone who wants us to buy more supplements. Living life in extremes is rarely beneficial, so my advice–and that of the experts–is to prioritize a balanced lifestyle and try and make healthy choices each day. It really is as simple as that.

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