Spoiler: It’s never too late to challenge yourself. Whether it’s January 1st or the middle of July, goals don’t wait—and neither should you.
What is 75 Hard?
75 Hard is more than a fitness challenge—it's a mental toughness program. Created by entrepreneur Andy Frisella, the challenge lasts 75 consecutive days and requires you to complete the following every single day, with no compromises:
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Two 45-minute workouts (one must be outdoors)
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Follow a diet (your choice, but no cheat meals or alcohol)
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Drink 1 gallon of water
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Read 10 pages of a nonfiction/personal growth book
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Take a progress photo
Miss one? Start over. The rules are simple, but following them is anything but. And that’s the point—it’s about discipline, consistency, and pushing past your limits.
It’s Never Too Late to Start Something Hard
We kicked off 75 Hard smack in the middle of summer, long after the January resolutions had fizzled. Why? Because waiting for the “perfect” time often means never starting. Life is busy—we get it. But hard things don't wait for your schedule to calm down.
If anything, starting now—when days are long, routines are off, and weekends are packed—makes the challenge even more powerful. It's a reminder that growth happens when it’s hard, not when it’s easy.
Our Experience + 5 Tips for 75 Hard Success
My husband is a firefighter with 48-hour shifts and I work a 9-to-5 (here at TallSlim!). Our schedules don’t exactly line up—but we still made 75 Hard work. Here’s how:
1. Build a Routine Early
I'm a routine person! I like having a plan before tackling anything challenging. And without a solid routine, I don't think we could do this challenge, if I'm being honest. For example, our second "workout" each days is often just a 45 minute walk. In order to fit it in our tight schedules, we try to fit it in the morning before my work starts. Plus, it's cooler outside, which is a bonus;) Build a routine that walks the fine line between realism and ambition, and it'll be a lot easier.
2. Use a Habit Tracking App
We used a simple habit tracker to check off our daily tasks. Seeing that streak grow is weirdly motivating - on ours you get to check off a fun little green check mark for each task you accomplish, and as a to-do list fiend, I'm a fan LOL.
3. Do It With a Group
We started 75 Hard with a fiend and my brother, and made a group chat to keep each other accountable. It really helps knowing others are suffering with you. Another hack? On the first day, I titled the group "75", then changed the name each days as the number ticked down. On my phone, I pinned the group chat to the top of my texts, so I could see that big number get smaller every day.
4. Prep Ahead
Similar to setting a routine, planning a head is essential. On our busiest days, sometimes we need to do some meal prepping over the weekend to get meals in when we don't have time to cook. Stock your fridge with food that aligns with your diet - no cheat food in the house means no cheat food on your plate.
5. Focus on the Mental Shift
As we tackle 75 Hard, we're learning to keep promises to ourselves, which is admittedly a lot harder than I expected. The workouts themselves, the reading, the water - it's hard, but not the most challenging thing I've done physically. The real battle is the mental challenge of hauling yourself to a second workout even though you're exhausted, or keeping your eyes open to finish your reading before bed.
What to Wear: Tall-Friendly Athletic Gear for 75 Hard
If you’re tall, you know the struggle of finding workout gear that actually fits. Here are a few must-haves from TallSlim.com that we wore (and loved) throughout the challenge:
Pro-Performance Tee
Lightweight, breathable, and cut for tall frames—no riding up, no weird proportions.
Athletic Shorts
The inseam you’ve been looking for. Stretchy, tall-length shorts that actually move with you (not against you).
Athletic 1/4 Zip
For rest days that still require a clean, put-together look—great for a walk, travel day, or post-workout errands.
Ready to Start?
It's never too late to reset your athletic goals! If your New Year's resolutions have long since been forgotten, there's no better time than midway through the year to reset. Whether it's step goals, lifting PR's, running goals, or starting a good habit, it's never too late.
Start today! Start on Friday! Start when the weather's bad! Start when you're tired! Start when the stars aren't aligned! And most importantly, start with some fresh athletic essentials on their way from TallSlim;)
