LONGSHOT

Three days ago I completed the 75 Hard Program. I began this journey almost three months ago to maintain physical fitness while recovering from a snowboarding accident. I broke my tibia plateau and had two minor tears in my meniscus and ACL. Before my injury, I had been preparing for a half marathon and was running almost everyday. During my initial recovery, I began to put on a little bit of weight and needed a program to limit the defecit I thought I would experience as a part of the recovery process. 75 Hard was my answer.

Starting the program, I thought I was crazy. I thought there was no way I would be able to do two workouts a day, especially since I was very limited in lower body excercises. I had to get creative, incorporating a lot of walks and stationary bike workouts into my routine. Balancing recovery, while also achieving the necessary requirements was a challenge, but I think it ultimately lead to me becoming healthier, sooner. For the first 50 days I stuck to a very strict Keto diet, resulting in 20 pounds of weight loss. The last 25 days of the program I counted my calories to ensure that I did not put on any weight, but I also wanted to make sure I did not blow away.

For me, the reading was one of the best parts of the program and it helps re-enforce everything you are accomplishing each day. For my reading, I started with Never Finished by David Goggins. I also read daily devotions and scripture to help myself grow in faith through this process. I started Wisdom of the Bullfrog, by Admiral McRaven, at the end of my 75 days and am currently still reading this book. This program is so much more than just a workout program, I believe it is about a mindset shift, and a lifestyle change. After 75 days of working out and eating better, it becomes a habit and a part of your natural routine. Even being done, I still feel the need to workout each day, to eat better, and to fuel my body so that I feel good and can preform at a high level.

I recently was cleared to begin impact excercises and should be fully cleared in the near future. This means that I have been able to start running again, and this has been an absolute blessing. I can tell that my legs are not what they used to be. Soreness has been a struggle due to the inability to engage those muscles, but cardio wise, I feel amazing. I can feel the real impact of the weight loss, and I know once my legs catch up, I will be running some of the best times of my life. Before I suffered an injury, a half marathon was on my radar, and I am still motivated to accomplish that goal. September I will finish my first half marathon and I am also eye-balling a few cycling events as well. The mindset that was ingrained in me as a result of 75 Hard is one that I do not plan on losing, and it is going to help me be successful going forward in life.

If you are looking for a program that is so much more than just weight loss, I would reccommend 75 Hard to you. Small wins matter, and this program shows you that, each and every single day.

Every day is a great day to have a great day, and I hope you have a great day.

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