Why I’m Starting 75Hard

The Intentions and Objectives:

I’ve seen people like Brian Hess go through 75Hard.

He’s someone I saw when I was looking more into what Andy had created. I saw his video on YouTube and we’ve since connected on Instagram and LinkedIn.

He’s a great guy, a family man, a man of integrity, and a hard worker.

I thought that I could benefit from the program too but maybe not yet… maybe I would wait a bit until I was at a better stage in my life.

But Brian set the example and I’ve been following him closely since our first connection.

Setting the Stage

I’m working about 50 hours a week right now for my main role, working out 5 days a week, finishing 7 books a month, writing 2 articles a week, launching my own website, doing independent consulting, and launching another company. I don’t have a ton of free time.

Two 45 minute workouts a day (as part of the program) ?? Don’t know where I’d make time for that — and I’m always on top of my calendar.

Then… about a year after first talking about what he put himself through, Andy released the book. Now that thousands of people have gone through 75Hard and shared their feedback and responses with Andy, he expanded his explanation and wrote a book.

The book was $15 for one book or $30 for five books.

I got 5 and sent them to different friends.

Now I’ve got 3 other people doing 75Hard with me. We started on August 24, 2020. That’s the same day that I wrote this article.

In the book, Andy wrote (and I paraphrase here), “If you’re going to push off this program until a better time that suits you, don’t. That’s the purpose of this whole program, to adapt and get it done.”

I read that and said… ok, it’s go time.

All 3 people I gave the book to, I asked them on the spot, “Are you doing this with me or what?”

And they’re in.

Before the Beginning

Again, I think of myself as having a strong mind. There isn’t much that causes me to waver or go off course.

But… I was challenged right away.

I was away for the weekend in Orlando.

I went to the west coast of Florida and got crazy sunburnt.

Previously, I’d committed to a workout with my roommate. We agreed to go on a jog/walk for 45 minutes to get the first workout in. For that to be effective for me, I needed to use a weight vest.

I didn’t want to. It was going to hurt. A LOT.

I woke up and wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t want to go. It was 4 am and I didn’t want to do it. I got up at 5:30. Too late.

Got ready and Stephan was ready. I put on the 45-pound weight vest, winced, and got going.

We got it done.

This wasn’t the way that I intended to begin 75Hard. I wanted to get to bed early, get up early, and get after it.

That’s not how it worked. I’m in pain, I’m tired, and I’m not sure how I’ll get this done.

But I’m glad.

That’s what this is all about. It’s about adapting to the situation and winning regardless.

What 75Hard entails:

For those who don’t know, there are a few daily aspects of the 75Hard program.

— Follow a diet 100%, no cheat meals, no alcohol

— Two 45 minute workouts (at least one outside)

— A progress picture

— 1 gallon of water

— 10 pages of reading (nonfiction or personal development book)

These are the 5 things that need to be done every single day for 75 days in a row (a day being from wake up until sleep).

The key thing is that it’s a personal commitment.

— Follow a diet 100%, no cheat meals, no alcohol

For me, I made my own diet of 4,000 daily calories, no fast food, and no dessert. That’s my diet. This is what I’m committed to for the next 75 days and likely for much of my life after the completion of this until my metabolism slows down and I reach my goal physique.

— Two 45 minute workouts (at least one outside)

This will be the toughest one for me I think. I schedule myself very very strictly and my calendar is usually full. I don’t have a ton of free time or open time I could simply add 60 minutes for a workout.

But that’s what attracted me to this anyways.

I want to figure out how to get done what needs to get done right now, at 23, rather than at 35 or 50 or 60.

— A progress picture

This will be fun, amazing to see the growth that I’ll have and I’m looking forward to noticing the small details that would otherwise go unnoticed.

So far, I’ve been taking my picture after brushing my teeth and right before going to bed. My intention is to take a picture at the same time every day so that I can compare them as best as possible. I will look to also observe how the day’s diet changes my physique — particularly if something causes me to be more bloated than usual.

— 1 gallon of water

This is 3.79 liters. What I’ve been doing is using a 3 liter bottle at the office and ensuring that I get an additional liter before or after the work day. I’ve been consistently drinking about 4–5 liters a day for a long long time but I did have days where I only drink maybe 2 liters. No more.

—10 pages of reading (nonfiction or personal development book)

I have been reading before bed, maybe 20 pages, almost every night for the better part of the last 18 months.

However, I’m only about 80–90% consistent.

There are nights I skip because I’m too tired. But I can’t do that anymore. That’s the whole point. It’s growth. It’s consistency. It’s pushing my limits.

Getting After It

As I’m finishing this piece up, I’m midway through the second day of 75.

I am exhausted because I wasn’t disciplined enough to get to sleep the past few nights but I’m energized at the same time.

I am looking forward to continuing the commitment though. It’s going to be tough, I’m sure of that (it already has been). But I know that I will just need to continue to push forward and do the things that need to get done even when I don’t feel like doing them — I must follow through by any means necessary.