75 Days of Torture or Transformation?

You’ve probably seen it smattered all over your social media feeds: the 75 Hard Challenge. This grueling program—which guarantees a major body makeover in just 75 days—is essentially boot camp on steroids. It’s enthralling Gen Z—those internet natives always on the prowl for the next great trend—and specifically all its promises of swift results and that all-important “transformation” snap. But this is not your average “go to the gym” set-up, people. It’s more of a military operation, and to be frank, it makes me a little concerned.

The 75 Hard was introduced to the world by some entrepreneur who apparently feeds on the misery of people pushing themselves to their breaking point. The rules? Brutal. You’re talking about two punishing workouts a day (one of which is outdoors, mind you, rain or shine), you came up with a strict diet plan with no cheating, your stomach is bursting because you’re downing gallons of water, and you make yourself read 10 pages of non-fiction every day. Oh, and daily progress photos? It’s a reality show for Masochists.

Now, I get it. We all like to see results, and the 75 Hard provides. They praise the weight loss, the newfound discipline, and—honestly—this amazing sense of mental toughness. But here’s the catch: It’s an all-or-nothing game. One bad decision, one skipped gym session, and it’s back to square one. Talk about pressure!

And the problem is, it’s not just about fitness. It’s about the pursuit of pushing yourself to the limit. We all want to be productive, but this wouldn’t be a healthy way to go about it. It’s like trying to artificially bloom a flower overnight—you can force a color to come quick, but then it wilts and dies.

And the risks? Let's just say they're real. Physicians are sounding alarms. All those intense workouts? Recipe for injury. The restrictive diet? The risk of nutrient deficiencies. And do not even get me started on the psychological toll. The pressure to always be “on” may cause anxiety, burnout, and even disordered eating.

In fact, it just feels like another trend specifically catered to Gen Z’s craving for instant gratification and social media validation. They’re in search of fixes that are quick, and this challenge claims to provide just that. But the truth is, meaningful change is not about short-term suffering. That’s something your colleague can face without having to set a New Year’s resolution: It’s about the formation of sustainable habits.

Fortunately, there’s a new trend emerging toward a more sensible approach. The “75 Soft Challenge” is picking up steam as it provides a more human-friendly alternative. Think one workout a day, balanced eating, and prioritizing overall well-being over stringent guidelines.

Another great option would be the 80/20 rule, which means you make healthy choices 80% of the time and allow yourself some wiggle room. It’s about discovering a balance that’s right for you, not some arbitrary, cookie-cutter program.

Ultimately, the most important thing to keep in mind is that real transformation is a journey, not a sprint. All of it is the way to build those health habits, put your mental and physical health first, and enjoy the process.

So the next time a 75 Hard Challenge crosses your social media feed, take a breath and do something crazy: remember that sustainable change comes from within and not from some extreme program that is created to tear you down and build you back up. Just focus on having a good relationship with yourself and with your body, and you'll be surprised at what you can do."

This version aims to:

Employ more fluid, organic diction: Talk as if you were talking when you said something like this: "You see, it’s plastered all over your social media feeds; it’s essentially a boot camp on steroids; it’s basically a reality show for masochists."

Include personal opinions and anecdotes: “It’s got me a little worried” and “Honestly, it feels like a trend designed to prey on Gen Z” make the writer’s voice sound more genuine.

Use different sentence structure and length. This helps maintain the reader's interest and avoid monotony.

Prioritize clarity and flow: Ideas are presented in a logical order, with the transition from one thought to the next feeling organic.

Use a critical but friendly voice: The writer does note that the 75 Hard Challenge is problematic but also recognizes its appeal and provides alternatives.