In the relentless world of online wellness, a punishing regimen known as the 75 Hard challenge is experiencing a major resurgence. But one commentator is pushing back with a radically different proposition: a kinder, self-devised alternative focused on comfort and small joys.
The Return of a Punishing Regime
The original 75 Hard challenge, created in 2019 by American podcaster Andy Frisella, demands extreme discipline for two and a half months. Participants must drink eight pints of water daily, complete two separate 45-minute workouts, follow a strict 'clean' diet, and read ten pages of non-fiction every single day without fail.
The trend has roared back into the spotlight recently, notably after television presenter Paddy McGuinness publicly credited it for his dramatic physical transformation. His visible results have inspired a new wave of followers to embrace the rigorous programme.
Inventing a Softer, More Lucrative Alternative
Fascinated by such social media challenges but wary of their harsh demands, columnist Emma Beddington decided the only sensible response was to invent her own. Her motivation is twofold: a genuine desire for a more humane approach to self-improvement, and the tantalising prospect of creating a new revenue stream.
She first toyed with the idea of an 'intellectual 75 hard', designed to hone the mind as sharply as Frisella's plan tones the body. This would involve gruelling mental tasks like grappling with complex texts such as Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow, composing sonnets, and mastering calculus.
Another concept, dubbed '75 housetrained', focused on domestic perfection, enforcing daily habits like correct recycling, timely bin-emptying, and plausible meal planning.
Introducing the '75 Gentle' Winter Wellness Plan
Ultimately, Beddington settled on a programme she believes is far more 'bankable' and suited to the season: 75 Gentle. This weekly regimen is designed to squeeze joy from the remaining winter days, not to punish participants.
The requirements are deliberately soft and pleasurable. Each week, followers would need to stroke an animal, eat a nostalgic childhood treat, take a nap, share a wholesome meme with a friend, drink ten cups of their favourite hot beverage, and buy themselves a bunch of £1 daffodils.
The most revolutionary rule? Failure is perfectly acceptable. However, Beddington humorously proposes a commercial caveat: those who fail must buy her own branded 'pre-nap' biscuits, turning a lapse into a lucrative opportunity.
This parody highlights a growing cultural pushback against extreme wellness culture, suggesting that for many in the UK, a gentle nudge towards small, daily pleasures might be a more sustainable and enjoyable path to wellbeing than a brutal, all-or-nothing challenge.
