I Survived the 75 Hard Challenge—Here’s How You Can Too

 

Tell the truth- when you first heard about the 75 Hard Challenge, you may have thought: That is insane. I could never get away with it with children, jobs and life. I felt the exact same way. But allow me to tell you as a mom who has just completed this challenge it can be done and the change that happens will be more than just physical outcomes.

In this post, I will deconstruct my journey, my struggles, my winnings, and how you, yes, YOU—can take on the 75 Hard Challenge safely and successfully, even with the chaos of motherhood.

What Is the 75 Hard Challenge?

The 75 Hard Challenge is a mindset toughness program which has been developed by Andy Frisella (in case you are new here). It is not simply a fitness plan but a change of mindset, an exercise program, and an overall confidence-giver all in one.

Here’s what it involves:

• Strict diet and no cheat meals.

• Do two 45 minute workouts a day, one should be outdoors.

• Drink 1 gallon of water daily

• Read 10 pages of a self-development book

• Take a daily progress photo

All of this, for 75 consecutive days. Miss a task, and you start over.

Why I Decided to Take on 75 Hard as a Mom

Being a mom is the hard stuff--somebody does not need to inform you about that. There is no time between diaper changes, late-night feeds and trying to have a small slice of me-time as life may be chaotic.

I had a desire to challenge myself- not only physically but mentally as well. I wanted:

• To prove to myself I could commit fully to something challenging

• To build daily discipline that spills into other areas of life

• To show my kids that consistency and hard work pay off

Spoiler: It worked, but it wasn’t easy.

The Biggest Challenges I Faced During the 75 Hard Challenge

There is nothing sugar-coated in this challenge--this will stretch you. Some of the most difficult things to moms were:

1. Finding Time for Two Workouts a Day

   • Early mornings before the kids woke up were key

   • Short, high-intensity workouts helped maximize time

2. Sticking to a Strict Diet

   • The meal prep is my savior.

   • Snacking temptations included snacking especially during night feeding.

3. Drinking a Gallon of Water

   • Carrying a reusable bottle everywhere made it easier

   • Set reminders on my phone to sip throughout the day

4. Daily Reading

   • I replaced ten minutes of scrolling the social media with reading.

   • Audiobooks were used when I was on a move.

5. Mental Fatigue

• Some days I wanted to quit—especially when life threw unexpected curveballs

• Having a support system, even online, kept me accountable

My Tips for Moms Who Want to Try 75 Hard

In case you are contemplating having a go at this challenge here is how you can make it a possibility:

• Plan Ahead: Meal prep, workout schedule, and daily reading time

• Adjust to Your Life: Workouts in the outdoors do not necessarily need to be lengthy walks, they can be walks with your stroller with your little one.

• Use Support Systems: Join Facebook groups or involve a friend for accountability

• Track Progress: Progress photos aren’t just for your body—they show mental growth too

• Be Kind to Yourself: It’s tough, but it’s also temporary. Celebrate small wins

How 75 Hard Changed Me

The change was not only physical (which was good). Here’s what I gained:

• Mental Toughness: It was a matter of saying no to excuses.

• Confidence Boost: A 75-day challenge is no cakewalk.

• Healthier Habits: Drinking water consistently, eating clean, and moving daily became second nature

• Time Management Skills: Suddenly, I could fit workouts, meals, and reading into my hectic mom life

• Role Modeling for Kids: Showing persistence and consistency to my children made me proud

Recommended Daily Routine for Busy Moms

This is an example of a schedule that I found useful:

Morning (5:30–7:00 am)

• Outdoor workout (walk/run with stroller or HIIT)

• Breakfast and water

Midday (10:00–11:00 am)

• Second workout or strength training (short and focused)

• Read 10 pages of a self-development book

Afternoon (2:00–3:00 pm)

• Meal prep or healthy snack

• Hydration check (half-gallon done by now)

Evening (7:00–9:00 pm)

• Family time

• Nighttime reflection, progress photo

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the outdoor exercise: Out in the sun is necessary to lift the mood and mental clarity.

• Not thinking about making a meal: Makes staying on a diet very difficult.

• Neglecting rest: Even though workouts are mandatory, listen to your body

• Not tracking water: Falling behind can lead to fatigue

The Mental Game: Why 75 Hard Is More Than Fitness

This challenge is 80% mental and 20% physical. You will learn to:

• Resist instant gratification

• Push through mental barriers

• Build self-confidence in a way that sticks

It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistency.

Celebrating the Finish Line

By the end of day 75 I did not simply feel physically stronger, I felt unstoppable. Success on this challenge led me to remember that moms can do more than we often credit ourselves to do.

Celebrate small victories along the way:

• Passing a week without failure to perform any task.

• Achieving personal fitness.

• Daily water or meal prep consistency

Conclusion

When you are reading this, you know that you can definitely do the 75 Hard Challenge. Yes, it’s tough. Surely life will present the distractions and the curve balls. But it can be done, so can you, by a busy mom like me.

Begin any small, build up, and be steady. It will be worth every bit of effort to have the mental clarity, discipline and confidence you will acquire.

Keep in mind: You do not simply work on your stronger body, you work on a stronger mind. And that is the sort of strength you can have throughout life.

Are you up to the task, then? Your 75 days start now.