When I first started thinking about the 75 Soft Challenge, I knew I didn’t want to just dive in headfirst. That approach has never been sustainable for me. Instead, I gave myself the first week of the year to adjust already existing routines before going “all in.”
That soft start made all the difference.
Before committing, I needed to understand the rules — and thankfully, they’re far less rigid than 75 Hard. The focus is on balance and consistency, not extremes.
The 75 Soft Rules I’m Following:
- Eat well: Focus on healthy, balanced meals. One cheat meal per week is allowed, and alcohol is limited to social settings.
- Drink water: 3 liters per day (about 100 oz — roughly six 16.9 oz bottles).
- Workout: One 45-minute workout per day. Light activity and active rest counts.
- Read: 10 pages of a book daily (any genre).
- Track progress: Progress photos on Day 1 and Day 75, with optional daily or weekly tracking.
Once I understood the structure, the next step was realistically incorporate each rule into my daily life.
Eating Well
Eating well was the easiest place to start. I began using Factor last year when I was burned out on cooking and tired of making the same meals over and over. Whenever I hit that wall, a meal subscription helps spark new inspiration without overwhelming me.
What I love most is that Factor offers nutrient-rich options and allows me to filter out pork entirely — something I’ve struggled with in the past. Before, if I forgot to edit my weekly selections, I’d end up wasting money on meals I couldn’t eat. Having that filter alone has removed so much frustration and made staying consistent feel easier.
Drinking More Water
I’ll be honest — this one has always been a struggle for me. I’ve gone days (and even weeks) without drinking plain water. So this rule requires some conscious effort on my part.
What works best for me is making water easy and a little bit fun. I ordered cases of bottled water so I can grab and go while easily tracking my intake. Having 16.9-oz bottles makes the goal feel manageable instead of overwhelming. I also brought my larger water jugs back into rotation — my 30 oz and gallon marked bottles are officially back in action. I’m a sucker for a motivational water bottle, and honestly, it works.
Working Out
This is an area where I’ve definitely fallen off. Daily — or even weekly — workouts haven’t been consistent for me lately. For this challenge, my goal isn’t intensity; it’s consistency.
Instead of overcomplicating things or signing up for a gym membership I know I won’t use long-term, I took stock of what I already have at home. I have resistance and weight items, a stepper, a walking pad, and a Peloton — more than enough to get started.
I asked ChatGPT to help me create a daily plan that includes a 45-minute workout each day, active recovery sessions, and one lighter day per week. Keeping it flexible and realistic makes it much easier to show up.
Reading
Last year, I hit a serious reading slump. I used to be a voracious reader and even reviewed ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies), but somewhere along the way — whether it was disappointing reads or life just lifing — I stopped.
I want to reconnect with a hobby I truly love. This part of the challenge feels exciting instead of daunting. I’ve accumulated a very ambitious TBR pile (even when I stopped reading, I definitely didn’t stop buying books), so I decided to start small. I picked the least intimidating novella I own, but also one from a favorite genre by a favorite author. Starting light and enjoyable felt like the best way to rebuild momentum.
Progress Tracking
I’m genuinely excited to see how I change over the course of this challenge. Along with progress photos, I’ll be tracking weight, measurements, and other metrics from my scale. For me, data isn’t about obsession — it’s about awareness.
Mindset
Mindset might be the most important part of this whole process.
I’ll be journaling daily with reflections like:
- What went well?
- What didn’t?
- What can I adjust tomorrow?
This challenge isn’t about perfection. If I miss a day, I’m not starting over — I’m getting back on track.
I’ve been using a 75 Soft Challenge Journal that helps me stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed. I’m a little neuro-spicy, so tracking throughout the day works really well for me. I also love being able to look back and review patterns from previous days.
A Few Tips From Me to You
- Don’t overhaul your entire day. Start with what you already have.
- Build on existing routines instead of forcing new ones.
- Movement fits best earlier in the day or as a gentle evening reset.
- Reading has become part of my wind-down routine.
- Reflection happens through journaling or quiet moments instead of scrolling.
Most importantly, anchor your routines to how you want to feel, not just what you want to complete.
That mindset shift alone makes a huge difference — at least, it has for me.
What’s one routine you’re trying to build right now?
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