I’ve officially completed my version of 75 Hard, and I’m here to share my experience and lessons learned. Biggest takeaway? Doing something every single day is tough. Committing to working out every day is tough. Committing to writing every day is tough. But I would 1000% recommend you set your own goals and try this challenge on your terms.

At the start of the new year, I wanted to take on a challenge, but none really aligned with my personal goals. So, I decided to create my own version of 75 Hard, focused on five things that would help me achieve what I wanted.

Here’s What I Committed To:

1. Work out for at least 45 minutes
2. Drink 4 full Stanley tumblers of water
3. Pray
4. Journal
5. Write for at least 20 minutes

I was consistent with drinking water, praying, and journaling every day. However, I didn’t always hit the writing goal—I missed a lot of days and am still trying to figure out my best writing time. I also missed six days of working out over the 75 days and skipped writing for 12 days.

Finding Accountability at the Gym

On Black Friday, Robby and I were relaxing on the couch after the Thanksgiving chaos when he said, “I think we should join a gym.” I had been trying to fit in walks and small workouts at the park after dropping the kids off, but it often got pushed aside for other things. So when he suggested it, I was thrilled—I know I do better with an accountability partner.

Right then, in our comfy post-holiday state, we went online and joined a gym. It was so easy—just a few clicks, and we were locked in. We planned to start going five days a week, and with Christmas break coming up, we knew we’d have to take turns going while one of us stayed home with the kids. But we made it work! Even when the kids were home, we found ways to prioritize our gym time.

Upping My Game in January

By January, I was ready to take things to the next level. I missed wearing bikinis, feeling comfortable in my skin, and having the energy to keep up with my kids, work, sports, and life in general. So, I created my own 75 Hard challenge. I called it “75 Soft” at first, but quickly changed it—because let’s be real, this was HARD for me.

I Noticed Changes—Even If They Were Invisible to Others

One of the first things I noticed was my hands. My rings started to feel loose, and when I interlocked my fingers, there was more space. It sounds strange, but it was real. My pants fit better, my clothes hung differently, and I felt more confident in tighter outfits. My love handles didn’t spill over my waistband anymore.

I Got Stronger—Mentally and Physically

When I first started at the gym, I was scared. I was nervous that I’d look clueless, not know what I was doing, or that people would judge me. But I started by looking up workouts that focused on areas I wanted to improve, and I slowly built my confidence. Mentally, I became stronger. Do people judge? Maybe, but it doesn’t matter to me anymore. Their opinion of me is none of my business.

Some Days I Don’t Want to Go

There are still days I don’t feel like going to the gym. I used to crave slow, easy workouts—things I thought my body could handle. Turns out, I’m capable of way more than I gave myself credit for (and so are you). But there are still days I drag my feet. Even though I know I’ll feel better afterward and I get to enjoy the sauna (which I love), some days are just hard. On those days, I stick to my favorite machines and workouts because something is always better than nothing.

Starting Is the Most Important Step

When you start going to the gym or share that you’re starting a fitness journey, advice comes from everywhere:
“Make sure you’re eating well, that’s where you’ll see the most changes.”
“You can’t just do cardio—you have to lift weights.”
“Machines don’t do much for you; free weights are better.”
“Don’t forget to have the right form.”

These are all things people have said to me. While I know they mean well, I’ve learned to tune it out. What matters most is that I started and kept going.

Naturally, I Wanted to Eat Better

I didn’t plan on drastically changing my diet. We eat plenty of salads, veggies, and chicken, but we also enjoy pizza and wings—and I wasn’t (and still am not) ready to give that up. However, after the gym, I was always starving and craving healthier options like grilled chicken, veggie omelets, and salads. So, Robby and I naturally started cooking more healthy meals at home and steering away from takeout. When we do get takeout, we choose options that don’t leave us feeling sluggish because we know how good it feels to have energy.

Could I Push Harder? Sure—But That’s Not the Goal

Yes, I could eat better. Yes, I could see bigger changes if I drastically altered my diet or hired a personal trainer. Yes, I could cut out alcohol entirely. But that’s not my goal. My goal is to improve my health—and that’s what I’m doing.

Final Thoughts: Do What’s Right for You

There’s so much information out there on what to do and what not to do. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you follow everyone else’s advice, you’ll end up overwhelmed and lost. Just start. Do what feels right for you and pivot along the way. You don’t have to aim to be the poster child for health and fitness—just aim to make progress.

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