Kicking Off 75 Hard Again: A Balanced Approach

Getting Back Into the Groove

It’s been a month since I completed the 75 Hard challenge, a process that tested my limits and reshaped my approach to fitness and wellness.

For 75 days, I followed a strict routine, stayed disciplined and proved to myself that I could keep going even when I did not feel motivated. I was proud of the physical progress, but even more proud of the consistency I had built.

Then I took a month off.

During that month, some of the weight came back. My routines became less structured, my eating became harder to monitor and the habits that had felt automatic during the challenge slowly started to disappear.

It would be easy to look at that as failure. Part of me definitely does.

After putting so much effort into completing 75 Hard, seeing the scale move in the wrong direction is frustrating. It creates the feeling that I somehow wasted the work I had done. But when I step back, I know that is not true.

The strength, discipline and lessons I gained are still there. This restart is not about beginning from zero. It is about using what I learned the first time and creating something that works better for the stage of life I am in now.

Opting for the Medium Version

This time around, I'm choosing to follow a medium version of the challenge.

I have decided to restart the challenge, but I am doing a medium version rather than repeating the original program exactly.

Right now, life is different.

I have a five-month-old, and sleep has been extremely poor. Not slightly interrupted or occasionally inconvenient—really poor. Some nights feel like they barely qualify as sleep at all.

That makes recovery, training, hunger management and decision-making significantly harder. When I am exhausted, everything requires more effort. Getting out for a workout feels harder. Food cravings become stronger. Patience is lower, and the temptation to choose convenience over consistency increases.

Choosing a medium version is not me looking for an easy way out. It is me trying to find the line between pushing myself and running myself into the ground.

The goal is still to train consistently, make better food choices, stay accountable and rebuild the routines that helped me succeed before. The difference is that I am allowing enough flexibility to make the challenge sustainable while caring for two young children and functioning on limited sleep.

My Medium Version:
1. One workout a day (as opposed to two per day where one needs to be outside)
2. Hit 125g protein a day, and stay under 1700calories. (following a diet of my choice as per the challege)
3. Read 10 Pages of any book (as opposed to it having to be non-fiction)
4. Drink 1 gallon of water (same as the challenge, actually not that hard while breastfeeding lol)
5. Take a progress picture once a week (as opposed to everyday...seemed like the most excessive part of the challenge actually)

Navigating Challenges: Weight and Rest

After a month off, the hardest part is dealing with the weight I've put back on. It’s frustrating, but I remind myself that this is all part of the journey. The key is allowing myself to feel this struggle without giving up or feeling defeated. Alongside my physical goals, sleep is a major challenge right now. Balancing a five-month-old and a toddler is no joke:p

This time I am trying to create something I don't have to grip so tightly, where life can still happen around it without me stressing out about failing.

The decision to track protein and calories more diligently is also rooted in understanding nutrition better. It’s not just about eating less; it’s about eating right. By focusing on nutrient-rich foods that fuel my body, I can ensure that I’m not just dieting, but rather cultivating a sustainable lifestyle. Remembering that balance is critical helps me stay aligned with my goals without the strain of strict dietary restrictions.

During my month off, it became easy to estimate portions, forget snacks or convince myself that certain meals were “close enough.” Those small decisions add up quickly.

This time, I want the numbers to give me clarity rather than anxiety.

Moving Forward with Confidence

The first time I completed 75 Hard, success meant following every rule without compromise.

This time, success will look slightly different.

Success will mean showing up even after a terrible night of sleep. It will mean choosing a lighter workout when recovery is poor instead of skipping movement entirely. It will mean tracking the meal I did not plan to eat rather than abandoning the entire day.

It will mean understanding that discipline is not always dramatic.

This medium version may look less extreme from the outside, but in my current circumstances, it may require just as much discipline.

And this time, the goal is not simply to finish another challenge.

The goal is to create a routine I can continue living after the final day.