What completing 75 Hard taught me

Some time has passed since I completed 75 Hard, and I finally had space to reflect on what those six daily habits actually did for me. People keep asking which ones I’ll keep in my routine. To be honest, probably none of them in their strict form.

Each habit taught me something I needed.

Let’s break them down.

1. Take a progress photo. This was the habit that I talked about the least. It felt like a no-brainer. But I learned later, it’s actually one of the habits people fail on this challenge. Maybe it felt so simple. It was also my least favourite habit. I don’t have a great body image so taking a photo every day triggered some self-criticism and self-loathing. But it forced me to face myself every day, and to appreciate my strengths and weaknesses.
   
2. Abstain from alcohol. This wasn’t a big lift for me. I’ve gone months without drinking before. I like winding down with a drink after work or a day out. I’ve discovered non-alcoholic drinks and flavoured waters and it has been a game changer. I realized I don’t want an alcoholic drink per say but to wind down with some sort of comfort.
   
3. Drink 1 gallon of water. From day one, I knew this habit would be the most difficult. I came into the challenge woefully dehydrated. By the end of the 75 days, I felt focused and hydrated. Drinking more water is definitely a habit that I will keep. My realistic goal is to drink at least two litres, which is enough to stay hydrated without forcing a full gallon.
   
4. Read 10 pages of a nonfiction book. I love reading all kinds of books. Mostly it’s been historical fiction. Switching genres helped me appreciate other types of writing. I used to read a lot of self-development books so it was fun to revisit this genre.
   
5. Two 45-minute workouts and one was always outside. Some days were brutally cold, and getting that outdoor workout done took a lot. But I have the mindset of a endurance athlete so I had the grit to get it done. Time was the biggest challenge. Thankfully most days I was working at home. I have been fitting in two workouts a day since the challenge but it is not strict. Sometimes I will go to gym at lunch or bike then run after work. If I have the time, and it’s in my training, I’ll keep this habit.
   
6. Follow a diet. For me, this meant increasing my protein. I’ve never paid protein much attention, and likely I wasn’t getting enough for my activity level. Now that I am tracking my macros, I try to get between 100 and 115 grams every day.

Finishing 75 Hard didn’t magically fix my mood or mental health, but it gave me the direction and focus I needed to cope with personal thing happening in my life and the slow, frustrating recovery. It also reminded me that I can do hard things.