My 75 Hard experience | Fortitude
Have you been considering the 75 hard program? Here is everything I learned while doing it and my explanation on why you should consider this program or any other similar programs out there.
75 Days ago I started a mental toughness challenge called #75Hard, I did this to test my intestinal fortitude and do a real inventory of what kind of man I am, here is my story………
My goal: On Jan 28th I will complete all 75 days of #75Hard without missing one critical task or violating any of the rules on cheats.
Reward: (The Journey), Home Speaker system such as Alexa or Google Home
Consequence: Start over Day 1
The Challenge: #75Hard by @andyfrisella
Start: Nov 15th, 2020. End: Jan 28th, 2021
The Critical Tasks:
Two 45 Minute workouts every day, 1 MUST be outside regardless of weather conditions
Drink 1 Gallon of water every day
Follow a strict clean eating diet with zero cheats (for me, super strict, see below)
No Alcohol or Cheat Meals of any kind
Read 10 pages a day from a personal development book (must be paper, no electronics)
Take a Progress pic
One miss or one cheat you fail and go back to the start.
The physical change is visual, so here is a list of MY changes in my last 75 days
Body Weight: 268lbs start, 240lbs finish, Loss of 28lbs or 10.4% decrease
Reading WPR: Increased by 88%, now doing over 340 words per minute and working on a speed-reading course by Jim Kwik
Read 4 books during the challenge: Most recommended – “Limitless” by Jim Kwik
Completed 2 audio books (non-fiction doesn’t count for challenge)
Income: 93% increase
Net Worth: 261% increase
Sleep: 30 day average of 4:16 per night (Whoop-fitness tracker)
Average wake-up time 0230
Meals: 7 per day, 270G of protein target per day, ~2400Cal
Meditating 30 minutes per day
My level of personal discipline is SCARY off the charts
I complete two brain training sessions per day (Peak & Elevate)
FAQ
Why do 75 Hard during the winter, its cold out (Bitch voice)
Because it makes it harder, it’s cold and miserable, suck it up and get it done (Boss voice)
Q. Why not wait until after the holidays? (Bitch voice)
A. Missing out on Thanksgiving pie, Christmas cookies and New Years Toasts is HARD (Boss voice)
Q. Why did you do a 3 mile walk with a 103 Degree fever while COVID positive when you could barely stand (Bitch voice)
A. Because I made a mother-fucking commitment to myself and if I can’t keep that what kind of man am I. (MF BOSS VOICE)
The Breakdown with tips for success
2 Workouts, 1 must be outside. (Build your habits and routine around the workouts)
-The trick here is to get that first one done and out of the way. Do the indoor one first because the outdoor one you have the most flexibility. Be prepared, you will get cold, completed soaked, dress appropriately for the outdoor workouts.
Take a progress pic daily
-This may seem like it is so easy, and that’s the problem. You will always be thinking about the workouts and diet, but unless you create a habit for the picture you could miss it. I almost did! I do my workout at 5 am, I take my progress pic as soon as I take off my clothes. Done.
Read 10 pages
-This one is a tough one for me, I always left it as my last task of the day. I was always so tired I kept falling asleep trying to read. I got out of bed, decided to create a new habit by having my tea at night while I read at the table with baroque music playing (from Jim Kwik, “Limitless”)
No Alcohol and No Cheat meals of any kind
-I’ve heard this is the deal breaker for most people. Its either the alcohol or a snack that gets them every time. For me, this was the easiest part of the challenge. Honestly, I can’t say there is anything I am craving because I already eat so much damn food.
The Diet – must be clean eating (my entire food budget is less than $100 per week total)
This will require a ton of planning and prep but once you get it down, it takes me about 3-4 hours on a Sunday and every meal is prepared for the entire week. Nothing extra in house. I recommend a buddy, this can be fun, save a ton of money and keep you on track
0330 Breakfast
½ cup Oatmeal, heaping scoop of DotFit Chocolate Whey smooth protein, 2 table spoons of almond butter, 10oz coffee
0615 Post workout Shake
1 and 1½ scoop of DotFit protein, 8oz whole milk, 4oz water
0900 Prepared meal 1
7oz Protein, 1/2cup Carb, 1/2cup Veggie
1100 Snack 1
Tuna Salad (1 can of tuna, diced apple, olive oil mayo, salt, pepper
1330 Prepared meal 2
7oz Protein, 1/2cup Carb, 1/2cup Veggie
1530 Snack 2
4 Hard boiled eggs, handful of baby carrots
1830 Prepared meal 3
7oz Protein, 1/2cup Carb, 1/2cup Veggie
THC Infused Tea
Gratitude:
To those that doubted or attempted to sabotage, thank you so much for making me earn this. I appreciate all the energy you have given me.
To my children, Rako, Lizzy and Gianna. I am so incredibly proud of you. You were right by Daddy’s side through many of those late night cold ass outdoor workouts. Thank you for helping me meal prep and reminding me to drink my water. Special thanks to Lizzy who caught me as I absent mindedly tossed one of her Doritos in my mouth while making her lunch. She screamed, I spit it out, we laughed. That was a day in the 60’s, would have sucked going back to zero because of that.
To me: Welcome back, I’ve missed you
Final thoughts. This was the most amazing individual experience of my life. Every aspect of my life has improved. I am a more active father, I am a more productive leader in my company, I am a much better partner for my ex wife to co-parent with. My finances are the strongest they’ve been in years. My confidence is off the chart. I do not believe there is anything that I can’t accomplish if I set it as a goal. Also, and most importantly I can honestly say I have never been happier. I have learned to forgive myself, respect myself and even love myself. A feeling so foreign I almost didn’t even know what it was. And it took a special person and a life changing challenge to find the guy that I’ve been looking for my whole life. If you’ve read my story, thank you. If you are considering this life changing experience, I promise you, it will be one of the single most defining moments in your life.
“With self-discipline, most anything is possible.” – Theodore Roosevelt
