75 Hard Challenge - Week 2 Wrap-Up

So far, 75 Hard has been an interesting journey. I think the thing I am enjoying the most is reading. Now, don't get me wrong, I consider myself to be a "reader" (more on identity later on) and I am in a book club, but I read fiction not non-fiction self-helpy type books. Yuck. Or at least that is what I thought two weeks ago.

Task #4 is designed to teach you a habit that will benefit you greatly from now, until the day you die.  You must read something that is non-fiction, educational, and can be used to improve any area of your life. Whether it be about entrepreneurship, personal development, or a job/career related topic ... you must read AT LEAST 10 pages each and every day. That does not mean you can't read more than that, but you must read a minimum of 10 pages. You must physically read those pages ... meaning audiobooks DO NOT COUNT toward your 10 pages for the day.

I tore through David Goggin's "Never Finished" in four days. Next, I picked up "Atomic Habits" this took me a bit longer (finished it a couple of days ago) only because I purposely limited my reading to a couple chapters a day just to make the book last longer! 

Another "must read"

Atomic Habits and Identity

One take away from "Atomic Habits" was that I need to change my identity in order to change my behaviors. 

"...true behavior change is identity change...Your behaviors are usually a reflection of your identity. What you do is an indication of the type of person you believe that you are - either consciously or non consciously...once a person believes in a particular aspect of their identity, are are likely to act in alignment with that belief... 

• The goal is not to read a book, the goal is to become a reader.
• The goal is not to run a marathon, the goal is to become a runner.
• The goal is not to learn an instrument, the goal is to become a musician.  (See pg. 34)

Another aspect of "identity" is not letting one identity define you. "Lose that one thing and you lose yourself" pg. 248. (Talk about coincidence...this is basically the theme of my novel!!)

So, what is my identity or more importantly, what would I like it to be? What identity will keep me growing through this challenge and developing new, good habits?

• My goal is not to write a book, my goal is to become an author! 
• My goal is not to lose 20 pounds, my goal is to become the type of person that doesn't eat a bunch of crap or overeat.
• I like the runner identity from above :-)
• I do not want my identity to be an athlete, (because injury can take that away in an instance) I want to be the type of person that loves physical challenges and who is mentally tough. (stole that from the book too)

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good: My consistency is paying off. I am down 5-1/2 pounds since I started. However, as I mentioned before, this is not a weight loss challenge. Weight loss is just something that happens as a byproduct of doing the tasks. Actually, I think I am finally seeing the tipping point of the small positive changes I made earlier this year. Hard 75 has allowed me to continue with those changes and add to them. I have to admit that not snacking in the evening (a horrible habit of mine) has been tough. 

I love seeing colorful progress on my habit tracker.

The Bad: Hmmm...struggling to come up with anything other than the drinking 1-gallon of water everyday. Don't misunderstand...I am drinking it, but there have been days where I'm chugging pretty close to bed time and that is not ideal if you are trying to sleep through the night! I am still trying to establish a routine - wake up and fill my 40 oz. Stanley - try to have it finished by 11am. Refill and try to have it finished by 4pm. Refill and finish by 7pm with a topper of 8 more ounces.

The Ugly: I didn't think the two 45-minute workouts would be that big of a deal. HS and I walk the dogs every day...rain or shine because they would not allow anything less. So no change there, work out #1 done and it counts for the outside. HS now even checks if we need to take the long way home so I can hit 45 minutes. 

My furry accountability partners

Typically I will do a second workout such as a run or swim or a ride. Again, no big deal. However, I have not had a day off for two weeks and I think on Sunday it was catching up with me. On my 8-mile run my heart rate was elevated right from the start and I was running slower than usual for a warm-up. I stopped to rest a few times while HS, who was riding next to me, seemed concerned. 

I tried to come up with some alter ego like "Goggins" (gotta read the book) but couldn't decide on a name that motivated me. At around mile three, running straight into a relentless wind, I lost focus and tripped. There was nothing to trip over, just me not picking up my right foot. I could feel my balance shift and I fought to catch up with my downward momentum, hoping my left foot would finally get out far enough to stop the inevitable. It didn't. As I started my decent into the dirt, I put my hands out and crashed down on to my right side and shoulder. 

I had HS take a pic at the turn around...still looking and 
feeling pathetic. Pick up your feet!!!

I picked myself up. HS stopped and tried to figure out what happened. I think he was concerned it was related to my elevated HR. I grabbed my knees and started crying. Which I think made him even more worried. I told him I was fine and that I just needed to regroup...which is what I did. After a few minutes, I started running (sort of) towards the turn around at 4 miles. I wasn't giving up that easily although the last half of the run turned out to be more of a run/walk but I finished the 8 miles.

Here's to week three...hopefully injury free!

75 Hard Challenge - Week 1 Wrap-Up

Last week BFF (aka Spell Checker) introduced me to the 75 Hard Challenge. After successfully completing 6 days (I stumbled and started day 1 over) I can honestly say that I believe this challenge was an answer to my prayers. Thank you again, BFF!!!

Of course, many people may look at this challenge and say that it is arbitrary and stupid and there is no reason to do it or even stick with it, but I say they are wrong. Yes, it's not a training plan that you are compelled to stick with so you can cross the finish line of a race or get a PR at an event. It's not a diet promising miracle weight loss. It is a mental challenge. A toughness challenge. A hard challenge.

I believe I was introduced to this challenge for a reason and it is in my heart to complete it. I am very pleased with my progress and I am excited to see the changes over the remaining 69 days.

Adding a Post-it every night before bed

Difference of Opinion

Since Saturday afternoon (Day 5) was set to be busy and because we were hosting a Super Bowl party on Sunday, I decided to switch my long run to Saturday morning (still have races to train for). We walked the dogs and after we got home, I changed clothes and headed out on my run. Two things disqualified my walk from the challenge:

1) It was less than 45 minutes

2) It was done right before the run.

Note: There is a lot of conflicting info on the two workouts rule. I have been operating with the belief that they have to be separate and distinct, with a break in between, and at least one of the workouts has to be outside. I have read Reddit posts from people saying the workouts have to have a 3 hour separation. Here is the wording for Task 2 from Andy Frisella's website...

Nothing about the time between workouts
https://andyfrisella.com/blogs/articles/what-is-75-hard

So, when we got home Saturday evening after two appointments in Stockton, I climbed on the trainer and did a 45 minute ride in Zwift. It wasn't a programmed workout or anything too hard, but is was separate and it was the full 45 minutes.

Of course, HS found this to be irritatingly stupid. Why didn't I just walk longer in the morning? You ran for over two hours, isn't that enough? Most people don't run that long. Why not count the run as two workouts?

I tried explaining the rules of the challenge but was just met with more of the same queries. At the Super Bowl party, he even tried to get BFF's opinion on me not counting my run as two workouts. I think he was hoping to get her to admit I was being too strict about the rules. She may think I'm crazy, but she is the last person to ask about me sticking with something. Besides, this whole thing is her fault LOL!

Out of all my answers to the questions asked, I think the most telling was about who was tracking the challenge. The person tracking this is me. This matters to ME! I could cheat the rules (as I understand them) but I would know. I would want to start over. Everyone has different reasons, goals, measurements for this challenge (just check Reddit if you don't believe me) I am sticking to mine and only mine.

Weekly workout summary

Yes, I could count a short workout or say my 2 hour run is twice as long as two separate 45 minute workouts, but in my heart I will have known I haven't followed the challenge. I went to bed Saturday night, tired but feeling proud of my accomplishment. The job got done no matter what and I controlled what I could control (when and where I did my workout and what the workout was). This is the whole point.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Good: I consider myself a reader and I generally love books. However, I usually lean towards fiction or books about how to write a book. I have never been really into motivational, self-help books (unless you count the Bible). When I started 75 Hard, I was fortunate enough to have a book on my shelf ready to go, "Never Finished" by David Goggins. The challenge calls for reading 10 pages a day, I finished the book in 4 days. It was a great read and I could feel it stirring the embers of wanting more from myself. If you are doing the challenge, this is a MUST READ!

Must read!

Good: Weight loss. Although this is not a weight loss challenge or diet, I have lost 3.8 pounds since last Monday.

Bad: I wouldn't say it's entirely bad, but I struggle with the whole gallon of water. Yes, I am drinking the full 120 oz. plus a little extra, but I have a hard time drinking consistently throughout the day. If I could just sip a little every now and then, I wouldn't end up gulping an insane amount right before bed. This is something I hope to improve this week.

Ugly: The only ugliness was Day 1 (the first one). I failed on the workout timing and on the drinking water so I owned up to my shortcomings and decided to start over the next day. This was fairly easy with only 24 hours wasted and I wonder if I would be so willing if I was 61 or 71 days into the challenge. Honestly, if it's day 71, I'm drinking the gallon of water even if I'm about to put my head on my pillow ;-)

This Week

I am looking forward to settling in to the challenge as I sit here sipping my water. 

The book I am reading now is called "Atomic Habits" by James Clear and I will probably be looking for a new read by the end of the week. This book is almost just as interesting as "Never Finished" and I am learning so much about how both good and bad habits are formed. I think 75 Hard is giving me the opportunity to work on my habits and hopefully create new healthy ones by the time the challenge is over.

While reading about habit stacking and temptation bundling, I have decided that writing/working on my book needs to be factored in somewhere. I'm trying to decide on timing and location so I won't have any built in excuses or stumbling blocks. I think I will work on my book for 30 minutes after lunch in the living room. 

Today is off to a good start...time to go take my daily progress pic :-)

75 Hard Challenge - Day 1 (Take 2)

Well, let me start by saying I am thankful that I screwed up on Day 1 and not Day 74 because if you are familiar with this challenge, if you mess up, you start over! 

Looking forward to adding 74 more Post-Its!

I think my biggest mistake was diving in head first without a clear plan. I had decided to follow the Mediterranean Diet and to stay gluten free (just because I thought that would help me lose weight). In my shopping haste, I picked up a pack of mint double-stuff Oreo cookies because they were gluten free. And I don't even like Oreos!!! I think I panicked about the thought of not having any sweets along with the whole "no alcohol" thing. I ate three of the cookies last night and stopped, figuring that was a victory of some sorts, although it clearly wasn't following the Mediterranean Diet. Fail!

My next mistake was realizing that I had probably only drank about 30 oz. of the required 128 oz. I then tried some fancy math and started adding the partial cans of sparkling water and then my coffee to try and bring my total intake up, and I still wasn't even close. I grabbed a glass and was going to start pounding water right before bed before decided that I didn't want to be up all night going to the bathroom. I resigned myself to starting the challenge over in the morning. Lesson learned.

Starting Over

This morning, before I got out of bed, I popped in my Air Pods and listened to Andy Frisella's podcast about Hard 75. If you are considering this challenge, I recommended listening to this first. Andy is the creator of Hard 75 and he explains that this isn't a diet challenge it is a mental challenge. He also explains the rules in more detail than you will get from a quick Internet search.  

Link to Episode #208

As I said, I am thankful I figured this out after only a day. 

75 Hard Challenge with My BFF

Yesterday morning I was excited to be meeting my BFF and her hubby for brunch after church. It had been a few months since we found the time to get together and I was really looking forward to seeing them. I was also thinking about how I could bring up the fact that I wanted start a diet (again) and was desperate for an accountability partner. I was sure she would say "Yes" if I asked, but I didn't want to force her into anything.

We met up at our favorite Mexican restaurant and when the waiter came to get our drink order, she said she was just having water. Perfect! I ordered water too knowing that I didn't need the sugar or calories from their delicious strawberry jalapeño margarita. I told her that I had just finished "Dry January" and she said she wasn't drinking because of something called "75 Hard". Over our meal, between all of the catching up, she explained the challenge to me. I was definitely interested and so grateful that my accountability partner just landed in my lap without me even having to ask her!

Everything You Need to Know

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/75-hard-challenge-and-rules 

The Rules 

1. Follow a nutrition plan of your own, no alcohol or cheat meals
2. Two 45 minutes workouts per day - one must be outside
3. Drink one gallon of water per day
4. Read 10 pages of a non-fiction, personal development focused book
5. Take a progress picture every day

Do this for 75 days. If you mess up go directly to jail, do not pass "go"...in other words start over again!

My Commitment

1.  NUTRITION Due to my training, I would be hard pressed to eliminate carbs (ie Keto or Atkins)...I need some fuel to keep going. So I think I will stick to the Mediterranean Diet. I think this is the healthiest option and it will work best for HS. 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801

I am also going to take a page from BFF's playbook and eliminate sugar and gluten. I have made this switch in the past and felt much better for it.

As for the alcohol...I just finished "Dry January". I survived and I realized that I missed the habit of a glass of wine, not the actual wine. This weekend (Feb 3) I had my first glass(es) of wine since Dec. 31. Even though I didn't go absolutely nuts, I still woke up not feeling as good as I did without the wine. So I've been asking myself, is it worth it? I really think the sugar in the wine messes with me because I get sugar hangovers and this is how a couple of glasses of wine made me feel.

2. WORKOUTS  I'm almost doing the workouts now. My first 45 minutes (which is always outside and rarely skipped) is our daily dog walk which is typically around 45 minutes. Done! My second workout will be based on my training plan and will often be longer than the 45 minutes. I guess my real challenge is going to be doing this for 75 days with no break. Obviously, there will be recovery days where my workout will be something nice like yoga but still technically a workout.

3. WATER Ok, the water drinking is going to be a big challenge. If it was diet 7-Up, no problem, but plain water. A whole gallon??? I know my body and skin will thank me, but it just sounds horrible. LOL

4. READING I currently wake up and read my bible every day and I 100% believe that it is the BEST personal development focused book so I will continue doing this. Although I will be extending the prescribed reading in my "Bible In a Year" version to the full 10-pages. I think I will also start reading "Never Finished" by David Goggins since it has been sitting on my shelf collecting dust for a while (I'm not even sure where it came from).

My "Must Read"

5. PICTURES Last but not least...the daily pictures. I am going to find an ideal spot and set up my camera just to make it easy. I know from doing P90X and taking progress pics that they really can tell a story after the fact. The first photo, not so much...so don't expect to see my progress pics any time soon!

One Day at A Time

As I start day one...today...February 5, I already find myself already looking too far in the future. Next Sunday is Super Bowl and I'm already worried about snacks. I've got to put that aside for now and just be thankful that BFF will be there for support!