Another year, another one-size-fits-all challenge – sorry, “program” – sweeps the wellness world and makes you feel crappy about yourself. Say hello to 75 Hard.
The creator distinguishes 75 HARD as “a mental toughness challenge”, NOT a fitness, nutrition, or weight loss challenge. Well, three out of the five core pillars of of your “mental toughness” challenge directly contradict that stance as they invoke fitness and nutrition.
Not to mention, the creator is notably NOT a certified fitness professional, dietician or clinical therapist – credentials that might be relevant for a program that wraps up nutrition, fitness, and mental health. This incredibly aggressive program is based on very little scientific research…in fact, the only relevant qualifications he offers up is “20 years of real life experience.” Interesting.
And while we appreciate his candor of it “not being for everyone,” we’ll take it a step further and insist that it’s not for most.
Let’s unpack this, shall we?
Rule #1. You must stick to a diet. No alcohol or “cheats” allowed.
Following a diet for 75 days can mean very different things to different people. Despite this directive being vague and confusing (…probably because the leader is in no way qualified to provide dietary advice), its restrictive implications can be psychologically destructive. Consuming even one m&m on day 74 means “you fail” and have to start back at day 1.
Consider this rule a pedestal for the “restrict and binge” cycle to sit on. Not only does the highly stigmatized word “cheat” have no business being applied to what we eat, this provides limited to no opportunities to actually learn and understand what balance and sustainability in your nutrition means.
Rule #2. Clock in two 45 minute workouts every single day. One of which must be outside – no matter what.
Daily exercise provides physical and cognitive benefits, yes. But the 90 minutes of prescribed exercise in this case is completely unnecessary.
Similar to the diet rules, the direction here is so vague that it opens up the runway for people to opt into the more extreme edge of “fitness”, promoting too much volume and too little [or in this case, zero] recovery. Not only does this fitness component neglect to take into account any underlying conditions, previous injuries, or current fitness levels, but when a workout plan is that non-specific, the risk of injury dramatically increases.
Rule #3. Drink a gallon of water a day.
We won’t argue with the benefits of drinking water. But hydration needs are dependent on the individual and 128 fl oz/a day can be way too much for some and might result in mineral depletion.
Rule #4. Take a progress photo every day.
Wait a minute…isn’t this challenge not supposed about aesthetics? I guess we’re supposed to be able to see “mental toughness” in these photos? The number of “before/after” photos swirling around the 75 HARD brand directly contradicts the notion of it not being a physical challenge.
Rule #5. Read 10 pages of a book.
Alas, the only rule that seemingly has nothing to do with fitness and nutrition.
No compromises. No flexibility. No substitutions. If you fail to comply with all of these daily rules, you have to start over at day 1. Circling back to our blog post on why we think “challenges” in general can die, 75 HARD sums it up.
There is undeniable value in consistency…but the extremes of 75 HARD (and pretty much any other short-term challenge you’ll encounter) are rarely helpful in developing healthy and sustainable habits that will deliver results for a lifetime.
Remember, MADones…more isn’t better. Wellness isn’t supposed to hurt.
