I just wrapped up my second round of 75 Hard—well, my 75 Medium version of it. I gave myself more grace this time, but I still stayed committed and learned a lot along the way.
My Modified Rules:
- Two 45-minute workouts per day (ok to combine or do indoors)
- One gallon of water daily
- No alcohol (except for two planned events)
- Follow a diet, with:
- Two free meals per week
- Everytable or Trifecta meals otherwise
- Unlimited fruit
- Tracked everything in MyFitnessPal
- Daily progress photo and weigh-in
- 10 pages of reading OR 10 minutes of meditation
Spoiler: I mostly read. Meditation is still a challenge for me.
What I Hoped to Accomplish
When I started this round, I had three big goals in mind:
- Lose 14 pounds
- Get my dog Messi to heel
- Complete our 10-year scrapbook
…And I didn’t even come close to finishing any of them.
That said, I did get a lot done. I just need to get more disciplined with how I prioritize these goals—maybe tackle one at a time. Honestly, getting Messi to heel has been so much harder than I expected. And dropping 10 pounds when you’re already at 163 (versus 179 last time) is a whole different beast. But I’m chasing 150—not for the number, but to see if all the muscle I’ve worked so hard to build will finally pop.
What I Did Get Done
- Finished the yard! Rocked the side and front yard, and finally decided on a plan for the flower beds. I’ll be adding two more roses this December and upgrading to a water-conscious sprinkler system.
- Planted succulents in the side yard near the gas meter. Once they mature, I’ll finish it with some decorative rock.
- Finally regrouted the crack in our shower—something that’s been on my list for a year.
- Finished my Ginger Jeans! This was a big one. Took forever to get the muslin just right. They fit perfectly when I’m standing… but popped a stitch in the butt when I squatted to say goodbye to my dog. Oops. I’ll keep them as a “goal” piece for when I hit 150. I’m usually all about “Jacqueline size”—whatever fits, fits—but I’ve worked so hard on these, I don’t want to take them apart just yet.
- Started my blog! You’re reading one of my first real posts. Starting this was a long-standing goal, and I’m really proud I finally did it.
- Designed a 3D printed cover for our dryer vent.
- Created our wedding photo album, which turned into the first installment of a 10-year retrospective album series. I plan to do one year every other month until I catch up, then make a new album every January. I want something physical with captions and memories, not just photos buried in phones. My grandma died from dementia, and it makes me think about what I’ll want to have with me if I’m old and forgetful. These albums will matter.
The Mental Game
This round reminded me that 75 Hard (even 75 Medium) is more than a physical challenge—it’s a mental one.
One huge realization: I have a weird relationship with food. When I get a “cheat” meal, all restraint goes out the window. Even when I’m full, I’ll keep eating. It’s like my brain disconnects from my body. Food doesn’t fulfill me emotionally, but I still overconsume. It’s almost an out-of-body experience.
Working out connects me to my body—I feel my muscles, soreness, and growth. But eating? That’s all mental. I don’t want to label food as good or bad anymore, just ask myself: Am I hungry? How much do I need? I only have so much willpower, so I’ve started relying on easy options like Everytable meals and making better choices when I eat out. Water helps too—honestly, water is delicious. Salads? Not so much. I’d rather have a soup or a good rice bowl with fish or meat.
What I Read
I made it through three books during this round:
- Rich Dad Poor Dad
- Your Money or Your Life
- Never Split the Difference
The finance books were amazing for my FIRE goals (financial independence, retire early), and the negotiation book was super engaging and eye-opening. I’m a logical communicator, and this book helped me rethink how I connect with others.
Where I’m At Now
It’s been 17 days since I finished, and I’m still feeling tired. Like mentally foggy. I’m still not drinking, and honestly, I think I’m done with alcohol. It doesn’t bring anything good to my life and only contributes to weight gain. I lost 5 pounds during 75 Medium—but gained it all back in 17 days. Could be muscle, could be sugar bloat. Either way, I don’t feel as bloated as I did pre-challenge.
I’ve stayed in a productive, creative groove, and I’m trying to reintroduce meditation to stay grounded. For example, yesterday I used up all my energy before noon (walk, plants, dog, baking, cleaning) and crashed hard. Took a nap, then bounced back and baked a pie, cookies, prepped more sourdough, washed dishes and my car. Then I wondered why I was exhausted. I think I’ll start budgeting my energy—like 4 hours of productive work max on weekends, including workouts.
Now that I’m in my late 30s, my body gets tired way faster than my brain. I just want to retire already, learn new things, and play all day. But until then, I’ll keep working, collecting that paycheck, paying off our beautiful house, and learning as much as I can. I love my home life and wish I had more time with loved ones.
Final Thoughts
75 Medium was a great experience. It was more forgiving than my first round, but still challenging in all the right ways. It helped me break through some mental blocks and finish projects I’d been stuck on. I highly recommend this kind of challenge to anyone. It’ll teach you how powerful your mind is—and help you figure out what actually matters to you.
I’ll probably do it again at the end of the year. Let’s see if I hit 150 before then.
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