Day 26 — and today I realized something simple but powerful: the magic of checking something off a list.

I was so behind on my 75 Hard tasks that I decided to stop overthinking and just do something. I took my progress picture midday, opened my Habit app, and checked that box — and wow, that tiny moment of progress actually gave me the motivation I needed to keep going. Sometimes you just need one small win to shift your mindset.

Overall, it was a pretty average day. I decided to fast for most of it to kind of reset, and when I finally ate dinner, it was super basic but so good. I think all the clean eating and lack of processed junk is totally resetting my taste buds — I’m appreciating real food again, and it’s wild.

Workout-wise, I kept it simple: an outdoor walk and a strength-training yoga combo. I swear, yoga just hits different. It helps me reset mentally, physically, emotionally — all of it.

Oh, and the best part? I finished my first book! Now I’m diving into The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, and I’m so ready to see what lessons I can apply to this challenge and my life overall.

Key Lesson of the Day: When motivation feels impossible, do one small thing you can cross off the list — it might be exactly what gets you moving again.

References & Links

📘 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey — https://a.co/d/0x0eHua
🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean — Apple Podcasts
🏋️‍♀️ Growingannanas — YouTube Channel
💪 MadFit — YouTube Channel
🧘‍♀️ Yoga with Adriene — YouTube Channel
🏃 Couch to 5K App — App Store
🎧 Andy Frisella — REAL AF Podcast
🎧 Steal Like an Artist Audiobook by Austin Kleon — https://austinkleon.com/steal-audiobook-trilogy/

We made it to Day 25 of 75 Hard — one-third of the way through! 🎉 I’m so proud to have reached this milestone, but it’s also made me realize something important: I only seem to know how to celebrate by eating poorly or drinking alcohol. That’s definitely something I want to reflect on and change moving forward.

Today was one of the hardest days of the challenge so far — not because of temptation, but because of time. Work was hectic, life was demanding, and I struggled to fit everything in. At one point, it was 4:45 PM and I had barely finished my first 30 oz of water… not exactly ideal when you’ve got a gallon to drink!

From there, it was a full-on sprint to complete every single 75 Hard task before bed. Somehow, I got it all done — but it was a reminder of how much this challenge tests not just discipline, but time management.

As a working mom, it’s easy to wish I had fewer responsibilities while doing something this intense, but that’s not real life. And honestly, that’s what makes this journey even more meaningful. Even busy moms with careers and kids can (and should) make the commitment to improve their minds and bodies — no excuses.

Key Lesson of the Day: Progress isn’t about perfect balance — it’s about persistence, even when life feels impossible to juggle.

📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff — https://jonacuff.com/do-over-2/
🧘‍♀️ Yoga with Adriene — YouTube Channel
🏃 Couch to 5K App — App Store
💪 Growingannanas — YouTube Channel
🎧 Andy Frisella — REAL AF Podcast
🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean — Spotify
🎧 Steal Like an Artist Audiobook by Austin Kleon — https://austinkleon.com/steal-audiobook-trilogy/

Day 24 of 75 Hard was a great one! I always love the weekends — everything about this challenge just feels so much more manageable when I’m not balancing work and family life at the same time. I got everything done today without much struggle, but I did learn something important about my focus.

While doing my morning reading, I sat in the living room while my husband watched SportsCenter, and I realized my mind just doesn’t focus well on non-fiction when there’s noise or distractions around me. It took me nearly twice as long to get through my 10 pages! I think I need to start carving out quiet, secluded time for reading from now on.

For my indoor workout, I decided to really push myself with a strength training video from Growingannanas on YouTube — and wow, it was a killer. It felt amazing to hit my physical limits and see what I could do when I pushed harder than usual.

One thing I’ve noticed lately is that I’m not hungry all the time anymore. Even though I’m eating clean and definitely less than before, I’m not constantly craving food. Maybe my brain is just too busy staying focused on all these other goals!

Key Lesson of the Day: Finding focus and pushing your limits can transform an “ordinary” day into a breakthrough.

📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff — https://jonacuff.com/do-over-2/
🧘‍♀️ Yoga with Adriene — YouTube Channel
🏃 Couch to 5K App — App Store
💪 Growingannanas — YouTube Channel
🎧 Andy Frisella — REAL AF Podcast
🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean — Spotify
🎧 Steal Like an Artist Audiobook by Austin Kleon — https://austinkleon.com/steal-audiobook-trilogy/

References & Links

Day 23 of 75 Hard brought one of the toughest food challenges yet — college football game day! We had company over, and the temptation was at an all-time high. From queso dip to mini pigs in a blanket, it felt like a true test of discipline.

While I did enjoy some of the healthy, delicious options we made, I stayed committed and skipped the queso, pigs in a blanket, and even the drinks — though I won’t lie, I was seriously craving a crisp margarita or glass of wine. Watching everyone else eat, drink, and celebrate definitely gave me a little FOMO, but the satisfaction of sticking to my goals felt even better in the end.

As for my workouts, I got a little more creative today and spent part of my second workout playing laser tag outside with my kids. It ended up being a lot more of a workout than I expected — running, ducking, and laughing the whole time. It felt so good to be having fun and getting in some cardio at the same time. We followed it up with a yoga session to finish off the 45 minutes and wind down together.

Key Lesson of the Day: The hardest moments of temptation are often when your discipline grows the most.

📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff — https://jonacuff.com/do-over-2/
🧘‍♀️ Yoga with Adriene — YouTube Channel
🏃 Couch to 5K App — App Store
💪 Growingannanas — YouTube Channel
🎧 Andy Frisella — REAL AF Podcast
🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean — Spotify
🎧 Steal Like an Artist Audiobook by Austin Kleon — https://austinkleon.com/steal-audiobook-trilogy/

References & Links

⚡ Note: Sorry for the delay in episode uploads! I’m catching up on the technical side and will be releasing a larger batch over the next few days to get back on track.

Day 22 of 75 Hard felt like a smoother day overall. I managed to complete everything without too much trouble, which was a nice change of pace. Lately, I’ve been doing walks for both of my 45-minute workouts — great for staying consistent, but I’m starting to feel the push to challenge myself more and add variety.

Tonight also brought a reminder about balance. I chose to watch Harry Potter with my family before doing my final workout at 9pm. Not ideal timing, but sometimes the memories matter more. The important part is still showing up — even when it’s late, even when it’s not perfect.

Key Lesson of the Day: Balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly; it means continuing to show up for both your goals and the people you love.

📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff — https://jonacuff.com/do-over-2/
🧘‍♀️ Yoga with Adriene — YouTube Channel
🏃 Couch to 5K App — App Store
💪 Growingannanas — YouTube Channel
🎧 Andy Frisella — REAL AF Podcast
🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean — Spotify
🎧 Steal Like an Artist Audiobook by Austin Kleon — https://austinkleon.com/steal-audiobook-trilogy/

References & Links

Day 21 Recap: Today was a pretty average day — I managed to complete all of my tasks without too much struggle. But I’ve been thinking a lot about balance lately.

As much as I love this challenge, I’m constantly trying to figure out how to give it my all and still be fully present for my family. I find myself sacrificing bits of quality time to squeeze in workouts or finish my reading, and sometimes it weighs on me. I think this challenge hits differently when you have kids — it forces you to look hard at how you spend your time, who you give it to, and how often you truly prioritize yourself.

But I also believe that no matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in, we all have the time in our days to invest in ourselves. It just takes intention.

Key Lesson of the Day: Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish — it’s essential.

References & Links:

• 📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff (official page)

• 📘 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

• 🎧 Steal Like an Artist (audiobook info)

• 🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean

• 🎧 REAL AF with Andy Frisella Podcast

• 🧘 Yoga with Adriene – YouTube Channel

• 🤸 @growingannanas – YouTube Workouts & Stretching

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Apple Store)

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Google Play)

• 📱 75 Hard Official App – App Store

Day 20 Recap: Today tested every ounce of willpower I’ve built so far. We went out as a family to celebrate my son’s birthday at Texas Roadhouse — and if you know, you know. Those endless baskets of warm, homemade rolls with cinnamon butter are dangerously good. Sitting there while everyone else devoured them was almost too much to handle.

But I stayed strong. I focused on my own plate filled with veggies, sipped my water, and reminded myself why I’m doing this in the first place. Small wins like this are what the challenge is all about — building that discipline muscle even when it’s uncomfortable.

Otherwise, it was a pretty average day. I pushed myself a bit harder and completed a Couch to 5K workout outside, which felt amazing. I’m also almost finished with my current book, Do Over by Jon Acuff, and already have my next one lined up — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I’m genuinely excited to dive into that one next.

Even though I’ve lost some weight, I’m holding off on checking my progress pictures until I’m halfway through. I don’t want to discourage myself if I don’t see a big difference yet — I’m trusting the process and staying consistent.

Key Lesson of the Day: Discipline means saying “no” even when the rolls are warm and the butter is sweet.

References & Links:

• 📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff (official page)

• 📘 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

• 🎧 Steal Like an Artist (audiobook info)

• 🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean

• 🎧 REAL AF with Andy Frisella Podcast

• 🧘 Yoga with Adriene – YouTube Channel

• 🤸 @growingannanas – YouTube Workouts & Stretching

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Apple Store)

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Google Play)

• 📱 75 Hard Official App – App Store

Day 19 Recap: Today was an office day, and I really crushed it! I fit in a solid lunchtime walk for my workout, packed healthy leftovers for lunch, and stayed on top of my water goal — most of it was gone before I even left work. I ended the night with my progress pic and some quiet reading time while my husband was reviewing his fantasy football waivers… whatever that means.

After work, a few coworkers and I went out to a local bar and grill for a rare get-together. It was my first night out with friends since starting the challenge, and honestly, it was tougher than I expected. Everyone else was ordering cocktails, cheese curds, and soft pretzels while I stuck with a healthier mocktail. Having something in my hand that looked like a drink helped, but it was still hard to match that same “night out” energy without alcohol.

Still, I left feeling proud. This challenge is about discipline, and tonight reminded me that I can still have fun and stay on track. It’s not forever — and the benefits I’m building are worth way more than one night of indulgence.

Key Lesson of the Day: Growth means learning to stay aligned with your goals, even when the environment doesn’t make it easy.

References & Links:

• 📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff (official page)

• 📖 Steal Like an Artist (audiobook info)

• 🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean

• 🎧 REAL AF with Andy Frisella Podcast

• 🧘 Yoga with Adriene – YouTube Channel

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Apple Store)

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Google Play)

• 🤸 @growingannanas – YouTube Workouts & Stretching

• 📱 75 Hard Official App – App Store

Day 18 Recap: Kind of a boring Monday overall, but sometimes that’s exactly what I need to stay consistent. I managed to complete all of my tasks today without much struggle — which honestly feels like a win.

Even though my physical book for the challenge isn’t Steal Like an Artist, I’ve been listening to it as an audiobook during my outdoor walks, and it’s been hitting me in all the right ways. One thing that really stuck out is how hard it can be to keep working at something when you’re not naturally good at it right away. That is so me. I tend to lose momentum when I’m not instantly great at something, especially when it comes to my artistic pursuits. That’s something I’m really going to work on — staying in that “amateur” mindset and giving myself permission to keep learning.

I was still feeling sore from all the digging and hauling I did yesterday, so I took it easier for my indoor workout — just walked on my walking pad and knocked out some work while I moved. The weather’s still super hot, but I’m reminding myself that winter is coming (any Game of Thrones fans out there?) and I should embrace the warmth while it’s here.

Key Lesson of the Day: Keep showing up, even when you’re not great at something yet. Consistency turns amateurs into artists.

References & Links:

• 📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff (official page)

• 🎧 Steal Like an Artist (audiobook info)

• 🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean

• 🎧 REAL AF with Andy Frisella Podcast

• 🧘 Yoga with Adriene – YouTube Channel

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Apple Store)

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Google Play)

• 🤸 @growingannanas – YouTube Workouts & Stretching

• 📱 75 Hard Official App – App Store

Day 17 Recap: Today was a productive weekend day that left me feeling accomplished and strong. I decided to use both of my workouts to tackle an outdoor project—removing a stubborn tree stump. Between digging, pulling, and hauling dirt back and forth to fill in the hole, I got a solid full-body workout and definitely felt it everywhere.

Thanks to all that activity, getting my gallon of water in was no problem. I often struggle with motivation on the weekends after a long workweek, but today I felt a renewed sense of energy and focus. I did feel a little guilty about removing the tree though—my kids and I just watched The Lorax recently, and it definitely made me second-guess my decision.....

Food-wise, I brought back an old favorite—the burger bowl—which is simple, healthy, and always satisfying.

Key Lesson of the Day: Progress doesn’t always come from traditional workouts. Sometimes it’s about channeling your effort into real-life tasks that move both your body and your goals forward.

References & Links:

• 📖 Do Over by Jon Acuff (official page)

• 📖 Steal Like an Artist (audiobook info)

• 🎧 75 Hard Daily Podcast by Jonathan McLean

• 🎧 REAL AF with Andy Frisella Podcast

• 🧘 Yoga with Adriene – YouTube Channel

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Apple Store)

• 📱 Couch to 5K App (Google Play)

• 🤸 @growingannanas – YouTube Workouts & Stretching

• 📱 75 Hard Official App – App Store