Why Most People Fail 75 Hard (And How to Succeed)

Here's the uncomfortable truth about 75 Hard: most people who start it never finish.

The exact completion rate is hard to pin down, but estimates suggest fewer than 10% of people who begin actually complete all 75 days. That's a 90%+ failure rate.

So what separates the finishers from the quitters? Let's break it down.

The Top Reasons People Fail

1. Starting Without Full Commitment

Many people start 75 Hard on a whim. Maybe they saw someone's transformation on Instagram, got inspired on New Year's Day, or wanted a quick fix.

The problem: 75 Hard requires 100% commitment for 75 days. Anything less, and you'll find an excuse to quit when it gets hard—and it will get hard.

The fix: Don't start until you can honestly say "I'm doing this no matter what happens." Schedule your start date, clear your calendar of major conflicts, and prepare mentally for battle.

2. Poor Planning

"I'll figure it out as I go" is a recipe for failure. Without systems, you rely on willpower—and willpower runs out.

The problem: Failing to plan your workouts, meals, water intake, and reading leads to missed tasks.

The fix:

• Schedule both workouts the night before
• Meal prep on Sundays
• Carry a water bottle everywhere
• Set phone reminders for each task
• Keep your book with you

3. Underestimating the Time Commitment

Two 45-minute workouts. Reading. Progress photos. Following a diet. It adds up.

The problem: On busy days, "I don't have time" becomes the excuse.

The fix: Calculate the real time requirement (roughly 2.5-3 hours daily) and protect that time fiercely. Wake up earlier. Cut unnecessary activities. Make 75 Hard your priority.

4. Choosing the Wrong Diet

Picking an extreme or complicated diet sets you up for failure.

The problem: Restrictive diets are hard to maintain for 75 days, especially in social situations.

The fix: Choose a sustainable approach. For most people, this means:

• Eating whole foods
• Hitting protein targets
• Avoiding alcohol (required)
• No specific foods off-limits

You can do clean eating, macro counting, or even just "no junk food." Keep it simple.

5. Weather Excuses

One workout must be outdoors. Rain, snow, heat—no exceptions.

The problem: "It's too cold/hot/wet" becomes justification for skipping.

The fix:

• Invest in appropriate gear (rain jacket, thermal layers, etc.)
• Walk if you can't run
• Adjust your schedule around weather
• Remember: discomfort is part of the challenge

6. No Accountability

Doing 75 Hard alone is possible but significantly harder.

The problem: When no one knows you're doing the challenge, quitting is easy.

The fix:

• Tell friends and family
• Find an accountability partner
• Join online communities
• Post daily check-ins
• Use a tracking app that keeps you honest

7. All-or-Nothing Thinking About Restarts

When you fail on Day 47 and have to restart, it feels devastating.

The problem: Many people give up entirely after a restart instead of beginning again.

The fix: Reframe restarts as part of the journey. Many successful completers failed once or twice first. Each restart makes you better prepared.

Strategies That Actually Work

Front-Load Your Day

Complete your outdoor workout first thing in the morning. Get the hardest task done before life gets in the way. By noon, you should have checked off at least:

• Morning workout (outdoor)
• Half your water
• Some reading

Use the "Never Zero" Principle

Bad day? At minimum, do something for each task. A bad workout is better than no workout. Reading 10 pages of anything beats reading nothing.

Build a Support System

The people around you matter. If possible:

• Get your partner on board (even if they're not doing 75 Hard)
• Connect with others doing the challenge
• Remove or limit time with people who undermine your efforts

Plan for Obstacles

Before you start, write down your plan for:

• Traveling
• Getting sick (minor illnesses—severe illness means consult a doctor)
• Social events
• Work emergencies
• Bad weather
• Low motivation days

Track Everything

Use an app or journal to track:

• Both workouts (time, type, outdoor/indoor)
• Water intake
• Diet compliance
• Reading pages
• Progress photo taken

The act of tracking creates accountability and helps identify patterns.

The Mental Game

Ultimately, 75 Hard is a mental challenge disguised as a physical one.

When You Want to Quit

You will have days when you want to quit. Maybe many days. Here's what to do:

1. Remember your why: Why did you start? What will completing this mean for you?

2. Focus only on today: Don't think about the remaining days. Just complete today's tasks.

3. Talk to yourself positively: "I can do hard things. This is temporary. I will not quit."

4. Reach out: Call your accountability partner. Post in your community. Don't suffer in silence.

The Dip

Around Days 15-30, most people hit "the dip"—initial motivation fades, and the finish line feels impossibly far. This is where most failures happen.

Know it's coming. Push through. The dip is temporary, but quitting is permanent.

What Successful People Do Differently

After analyzing hundreds of 75 Hard success stories, patterns emerge:

1. They prepare obsessively before starting
2. They track religiously every single day
3. They have accountability partners or communities
4. They view obstacles as tests, not reasons to quit
5. They focus on one day at a time, not the whole 75
6. They protect their non-negotiables fiercely

Your Action Plan

If you're about to start 75 Hard:

• [ ] Choose your start date (at least 1 week out)
• [ ] Select your diet approach
• [ ] Plan your typical workout schedule
• [ ] Buy necessary gear (water bottle, weather-appropriate clothing)
• [ ] Tell at least 3 people about your commitment
• [ ] Download a tracking app
• [ ] Write down your "why" and post it somewhere visible
• [ ] Prepare for your first 3 days in detail

Final Thoughts

75 Hard has a high failure rate because it's genuinely hard. That's the point.

But with proper preparation, the right systems, and relentless commitment, you can be among the few who cross the finish line.

The version of you on Day 76 will be someone different—someone who knows, without doubt, that they can do hard things.

Are you ready?

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Track your 75 Hard journey with FORGE - Habits & Fitness. Built-in task tracking, progress photos, and community support to help you become one of the finishers. Start your challenge today.