7 Key Lessons from 30 Days of 75 Hard: A Personal Reflection

After just 30 days of the hardest challenge of my life I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. In November I flirted with the idea of starting 75-Hard on December 1st but then decided I would wait for The New Year. That week I took a Thanksgiving walk with a friend who just so happened to mention she and another friend had decided to begin 75-Hard on December 1st. Coincidence? I think not. Some will say it was the "Universe", some will proclaim it God, and a few may think this was Happenstance.

I consider it my "call to action" , my "now or never" moment.

I obliged to start my challenge the following week and my friend made a Group Chat. It was time to begin...

If you aren't aware 75-Hard is a 75 Day Challenge. Here are the requirements:

Let me begin this with a moment of honesty.

I have failed everyday. Whether it was missing a workout, not completing my Gallon, or cheating on my diet. I did not start over when I "failed" I just continue to recalibrate and continue on. Now that I got that out of the way...

7 things I have learned in my first 30 days:

1. I can do this (& so can you).

2. I am FULL of excuses.

3. What I do NOT plan, will NOT happen

4. I will love what I CHOOSE to love.

5. I need my accountability partners.

6. 1hr 30 minutes of working out a day is actually necessary.

7. My body thrives when it is challenged.

1. This Challenge seems IMPOSSIBLE. Modify it. Make it work for you, but do it! The reason I say "I can do this" is because these first 30 days were more like trial and error for me. I was able to see what works for me, where I need to challenge myself and how I can adjust to finish strong. I will do this and so can you!

   
   

2. Between work, my children, being tired and feeling achy I have excuses for every day of the week. But, you can't make excuses EVERYDAY. After a while you get tired of talking yourself out of greatness and decide either I am or I am not. I personally, I have decided I am! I am worth this hard work. I am discipled enough to do it and I will feel much better after.

   
   

3. I have an extremely busy schedule. I am usually doing something with/for the kids or working. Many nights I work late. I have to schedule my workout before I go to bed. If I don't close my eyes knowing what time I will get up and workout, I will oversleep and the workouts wont happen. I realized, we attempt to do a lot of things in a "passive" manner. We think "we will get to it", "we will do it later", "we will find time". The truth is, this isn't true.... if I really want to see something happen I must PLAN!

   
   

4. With an hour and a half of working out a day, I realized my random 30-minute runs were not cutting it. In order to do longer workouts I needed to consistently incorporate a diverse portfolio of bodyweight, cardio and strength training. Embarrassingly enough I told my friend I did not like "strength training". A few days later I said to myself, Starr if you're going to see the results you want, you'll have to strength train. You'd never guess what happened... the next day I did some exercises with my weights and I LOVED IT. I took my time, I encouraged myself and I LOVED IT... The very thing I thought I wouldn't enjoy I opened my mind and my heart to enjoy and just that quickly... I did. I am even trying to find a personal trainer certification so thar I can more wholistically strengthen my own body. I am choosing to love strength training.

   
   

5. If it was not for our Group Chat I would have quit A LOOONNNGGG Time ago. Seeing the beautiful faces of the women also trying to push through with me continues to encourage me. They share their pictures, weigh ins, short comings and victories, workouts, and food all encouraging each other not to give up. I am the most sporadic member and they still have been loving me through it. So, whether you have one person you text everyday or a group you meet with, Accountability can help you tremendously.

   
   

6. Please don't let 2-45 minute workouts derail you. I realize now that before 75-Hard, I'd been rushing through my little 30-minute workouts. I wasn't properly warming up or cooling down. I have even begun working out for and hour and a half at one time (making it work for me). This time allows me to slow down and really pay attention to my body and enjoy the work. I enjoy running but now I am running consistently for an hour because I have more time to workout. This has opened me up to better warm up and cool down and to enjoy working out for a longer time.

   
   

7. My body is enjoying these changes. Even if I haven't been fully meeting all requirements everyday, I can see my body changing, my mental becoming more strong and longing for more moments of growth. For example, I ran 4 miles on Sunday, so I didn't run Monday. As the day was closing on Monday, my body longed for a run. I was shocked as I have never missed a run or longed for the pavement as I did after a day of taking a pass on my run.

   
   

I can go on and on explaining all of the ways i have grown and enjoyed these first 30 days! I will follow up on days 50 and 75. If you're thinking about accepting the 75-Hard challenge, I HIGHLY recommend.