75 Days That Changed Me

I never thought I’d be the kind of person who willingly signed up for 75 days of no excuses. No alcohol, no cheat meals, two workouts a day (yes, one of them outside), a gallon of water daily, and reading 10 pages of a non-fiction book every single day. But sometime in January, right after polishing off the last of the New Year’s leftover cookies, I stumbled upon something called the 75 Hard Challenge on TikTok.

It wasn’t marketed as a fitness challenge. It was mental toughness, they said. That sounded dramatic… but something in me clicked.

Day 1: Motivation Is a Liar

I started with fire in my chest. I made a checklist on my phone. Bought a half-gallon water jug and told myself I’d just fill it twice. Easy, right?

By 6 p.m., I was drenched in sweat from a power walk in 30-degree weather, forcing down the last third of my water with a slight grimace, and flipping pages of a self-help book about discipline I barely understood. Motivation? Already gone.

This wasn’t going to be about motivation. It was going to be about showing up when it’s freezing, when you’re tired, when your friends are posting margaritas on Instagram.

Week 3: The Shift

Around day 21, something strange happened: I wasn’t dreading the workouts. I craved them. I noticed my energy levels were more stable. My mood? Calmer. My body? Leaner.

Reading 10 pages a day became a quiet ritual. I switched from scrolling Instagram to flipping through James Clear's Atomic Habits. My life slowly stopped feeling like a mess I was trying to “fix” and more like a puzzle I was putting together, one consistent day at a time.

And no, it wasn’t just about weight loss — though I did drop 11 pounds. It was about the mirror reflecting someone who trusts herself again.

Day 60: The Weekend I Almost Gave Up

A weekend trip nearly ruined it all. I was out of town, surrounded by wine, brunches, and late-night temptations. The old me would’ve said, “One cheat meal won’t hurt.”

But 60 days in, I wasn’t just doing a challenge — I had become a disciplined person. So I excused myself from the table, threw on sneakers, and went for a walk around a dimly lit park at 9 p.m. I drank hotel tap water and read in bed.

Not because I had to. Because I didn’t want to break the promises I made to myself.

The Finish Line (And Beyond)

I completed all 75 days without missing a single task. No apps tracked it. Just me, a checklist, and discipline.

What I gained wasn’t just a new body — it was resilience. I learned that mental toughness isn’t about pushing through pain but choosing the uncomfortable thing again and again because it aligns with who you want to become.

The 75 Hard Challenge didn’t fix me. It reminded me I was never broken.

Want to Try It? A Friendly Warning

Don’t do it for aesthetics. Do it because you’re tired of the excuses. Because you want to know what you’re capable of when no one’s clapping. This challenge isn't for everyone, and it is intense — so listen to your body.

But if you’re ready to meet the most committed version of yourself, 75 days might be all it takes.