Title: Day 0 // Why I’m Choosing the Hard Way

Tomorrow, I start a journey that most people think is crazy. And I know they do, because for about 6 years I have tried to get family and friends to join me, and they all said No! For the next eight weeks, I’m competing in a fitness transformation challenge with 1Up Nutrition. A challenge I’ve joined about 10 times to date, but have never successfully completed. At the same time, I’m starting the 75 Hard         challenge by Andy Frisella.

Why now? 

If I’m being honest, I’m tired of being "fine." I’m tired of "mostly" sticking to my diet and "usually" working out or joining the gym, only to never go. I want to see what happens when I give 100%—no excuses, no "cheat days," and no compromises. I’ve felt for a long time that completing these challenges will not only change my mindset, but they will also change my identity as well, and according to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, “true behavior change is identity change. You stick with a habit when it becomes a part of your identity.” 

But why these two challenges combined?

1Up Nutrition 8 Week Challenge

The 8-week challenge is about physical transformation, and let’s be honest, I can’t keep lying and telling myself that I am still skinny and blaming my scale for malfunctioning. I must proudly embrace my 210 pounds if I intend to lose any weight at all and get back to the best me possible. 

It’s now time to see what my body is truly capable of when I fuel it correctly and train with intent.

75 Hard 

The 75 Hard challenge is about the mental transformation or mental toughness, as the creator of the challenge loves to call it. It’s a discipline program designed to build "mental toughness." One missed task, and I restart the whole challenge at Day 1. Therefore, mental toughness, accountability, and consistency are key to reaching the finish line. 

The Rules I’m Living By:

For those who don’t know what these challenges entail, here is the gauntlet I’m running:

• Two 45-minute workouts every day (one must be outside, rain, sleet, snow, or shine).
• Strict nutrition (no alcohol, no cheat meals, no exceptions). The beauty of this, though, is that you can choose any diet you like, as long as it’s healthy. I love high protein meals; therefore, a high protein, low-carb diet is my diet of choice. 
• Drink 1 gallon of water daily. However, I will tweak this a little to drinking 10 oz of water based on studies that show drinking half your body weight in water is more beneficial to your health. And I know what you’re thinking, shouldn’t she be drinking 105 ounces per day since she weighs 210 pounds? Yes, I should be, but it’s easier for me to measure and ensure I drink 100 ounces than to drink 105 ounces. Keep in mind, however, that the 75 Hard challenge calls for no tweaking; however, since this is more water, I figured it’s allowed. 
• Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book. I love self-help books and books about habit-forming, but read whatever you want. 
• Take a progress photo every single day. I may share my first picture tomorrow or wait a few days to show a comparison one. 

What This Blog Is For

I’m starting this blog for one primary reason: accountability. By choosing to make this journey public, I am intentionally removing my “exit ramp.” There is no quiet quitting here, no disappearing when things get uncomfortable. I’m inviting you to witness the full truth of the process — the progress, the setbacks, the discipline, the doubt, and ultimately, the win. This space will document my workouts, my meals, and the internal mental shifts that happen when you stop negotiating with yourself and start honoring your commitments.

This blog is also rooted in necessity. The last few years have stretched me in ways I could not have imagined — personally, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. I have navigated instability, responsibility overload, moments of deep fatigue, and seasons where survival took priority over self-care. Like many people, I learned how easy it is to pour everything into others while quietly neglecting myself. This blog is my refusal to stay there.

The symbolism of the phoenix matters deeply to me. A phoenix is not born strong — it is forged by fire. It rises only after being reduced to ashes. That phrase, forged by fire, reflects this season of my life perfectly. Every hardship, every setback, every moment of exhaustion has shaped me, not broken me. This journey is about rebuilding — stronger, more disciplined, and more honest than before.

This blog is not about perfection. It is about showing up. It’s about proving to myself that consistency can exist even when life is hard. It’s about reclaiming my body, my mindset, and my agency in a world that often demands resilience without rest. If you see yourself somewhere in this story — overwhelmed, rebuilding, or standing in the ashes of an old version of yourself — then this space is for you too.

I am doing this out loud because growth thrives in the light. And because this time, I am not running from the fire — I am rising through it.

But this blog doesn’t end here; it is a momentum for something I’ve always wanted to do. For ten years, I’ve wanted to start my own blog. Have attempted it a few times, too, but never saw it through. Today, it is more than a fitness challenge; I hope to start something for everyone who wanted to but never did. Who tried but failed. Who was dragged through the dirt and stayed there. It’s not just about fulfilling my dreams or overcoming my challenges; it’s about community and inspiring others while inspiring myself. I hope that, with these challenges, I will not only change my outward appearance but also my mindset, mentality, and spirituality, growing closer to God as I change my identity. 

The Commitment

I don’t know what Day 45 or Day 75 will feel like, to be honest, I don’t even know how day one will feel, but I know how Day 0 feels. It feels like it’s time for a change.

If you’ve been thinking about pushing yourself, consider this your sign. Let’s get to work.

Wish me luck—Day 1 starts tomorrow.