Kicking off my 75 Soft Challenge TODAY

So many of you have asked, 'What's the difference between 75 Soft and 75 Hard?' or 'Why did you choose 75 Soft?' I totally get it! When I was looking into these challenges, it felt like a big decision. Both are about building discipline and healthy habits, but they take very different approaches, and understanding those nuances really helped me pick the right path for my journey. Let's break it down. 75 Hard is known for its strict, non-negotiable rules. It's an intense mental toughness program designed by Andy Frisella. For 75 consecutive days, you commit to: Following a diet with no cheat meals and no alcohol. Completing two 45-minute workouts a day, one of which must be outdoors, regardless of weather. Drinking a gallon of water daily. Reading 10 pages of a non-fiction personal development book. Taking a progress photo every day. No 'taking a day off' – if you miss a single rule, you start over from Day 1. It's truly a test of grit! While incredibly effective for some, for others, myself included, the rigidity can be a barrier to long-term adoption or even lead to burnout. That's where 75 Soft comes in. It's often seen as a more sustainable, adaptable version that still promotes discipline but allows for personalization, which was a huge draw for me. The core idea is to build consistent healthy habits without the extreme pressure of starting over if you have an off day. While there isn't one official '75 Soft' rule set, general guidelines often include: Eating mostly healthy, with perhaps a bit more flexibility than 75 Hard (e.g., occasional treats, moderate alcohol). Exercising for a set period daily, often 30-45 minutes, without the strict outdoor requirement. For my challenge, as you saw in my checklist, I committed to a 30-minute workout daily, which fits my gym routine perfectly, whether it's indoors or out. Drinking plenty of water. Reading a certain number of pages daily, often fiction or non-fiction, focusing on personal growth or enjoyment. My read 5 therapy-related pages and read/listen to Bible devotional rules are perfect examples of how you can tailor this to your personal growth goals. Taking progress photos, journaling, or other self-reflection practices. My commitment to journal daily was inspired by this flexibility. The biggest difference is the flexibility and the 'start over' clause. With 75 Soft, if you slip up, you just get back on track the next day. It’s about progress, not perfection. For me, aiming for 110g protein daily and remembering to log food consistently feels more achievable and sustainable in the long run than a no-cheat-meal rule that might lead to binging later. Choosing 75 Soft felt like the right move for me to find a better balance between spirit, career, and body, as I mentioned in my goals. It allows me to incorporate fitness, nutrition, and self-care in a way that truly supports my life in 2025 and beyond, rather than just enduring 75 days. It's about creating habits that stick, and for that, a gentler, more forgiving approach often works best. If you're on the fence, consider what truly motivates you and what kind of challenge will lead to lasting change for *you*.