I’ve now completed weeks 2 & 3 of the 75 Hard Challenge and wanted to give a quick update on how it’s going.
So far, it’s felt fairly straightforward but I think that’s because I’ve put a structure in place. So in this post, I wanted to share my 75 Hard daily routine.
Mornings
As soon as I get up, I get in my first workout by taking Dolly for a brisk walk. Pre-Dolly, my outdoor exercise would have consisted of a run combined with some walks, but until she’s a bit older, walking is my outdoor activity of choice.
When I get home, Dolly’s usually in snooze mode, so I do my indoor workout. This is usually a strength or cardio workout on Fiit or a session on the exercise bike.
By the time I’ve completed both workouts, I tend to have had a couple of pints of water (two down, five to go!).
While I have breakfast, I read 10 pages of an educational book. Or sometimes I do this while I’m on the exercise bike.
I also make sure that I take my progress photo before I get in the shower. They’re not pretty, often I’m a hot mess! But, I know that this is something that I’m likely to forget if I don’t attach it to my normal routine. And there’s no way I’m going back to day 1 when I’ve made it as far as day 21! (Yes, really. Where does the time go?)
Afternoons
By the afternoon, I’ve usually had four of my seven pints of water – number three is sipped through the morning and four is with lunch. Lunch is often pre-planned as part of my meal planning routine – either soup or eggs – as are my evening meals.
To make things easier, I batch cook when I can and rotate any batch cooked meals through the week. I do feel that meal planning has been essential to my success in sticking to a ‘specific diet’.
In my case, I’m cutting out sugar and unhealthy snacks, but I’m also aiming to eat a plant-based, whole foods diet 99% of the time.
Instead of snacking on crisps, biscuits or chocolate, I make sure I buy extra fruit, seeds and nuts, so I have something on hand in case I feel hungry. So far, it’s working well.
One thing I have noticed is how habitual my actions can be. My parents came round for tea and because I’m not having desserts, my Mum brought only a small box of chocolates (despite me reassuring her that it was ok to bring dessert and I’d be completely fine with not having any).
Anyway, as I was clearing the table, without thinking, I almost grabbed a chocolate from the box. I didn’t want one, I wasn’t having cravings, it was purely habitual. Thankfully, I noticed what was happening and stopped myself, but it just goes to show how deeply ingrained these responses are.
Forming new habits
So there you have it – my 75 Hard daily routine. I’ve hit day 21 without any glitches so far, although I almost had one chocolate shaped mishap!
For me, the key to success has been to create a structure that I can follow, something which will form new habits over time. Once you have a structure, if you’re disciplined and stick to it, that’s half the battle won.
As someone who craved chocolate and sugary snacks almost daily, I’m shocked that I’ve not had to battle my cravings. Yes, there are times when my mind has started to plan trips out for coffee and cake. But then I’ve remembered that it’s currently a no go and I’ve either found something else to do or we’ve just gone for a coffee.
After all, it doesn’t have to be a battle, so why turn it into one. Instead, I’m enjoying the process of self-discovery and knowing that I’m building a healthier, more disciplined version of myself.
Week 4 – I’m ready for you!
So week 4 begins tomorrow and I’m curious to see what it has in store. Will anything new emerge? Will the sugar cravings really begin to kick in? Who knows… But there’s only one way to find out – by facing it head-on.
I’ll see you on the other side.
Image courtesy of 鏡飛 匙