Inspired by Andy Weir’s The Martian, and having both started and failed the 75 Hard many times, I’ve come up with a new idea on how to be in optimal shape for a surf trip this next summer. This new challenge is both a workout and lifestyle plan that gives myself breaks and the chance to cheat when needed. I’m gamifying my health in order to have the best surf trip of my life!

This challenge will run for over 230 days, but only 200 will be strict. I think with 200 days I can get where I need to surf 4-5 hours a day for 7 days straight. As Matt’o informed me, Jimmy Buffet once said, “Don’t let the old man in!” Important words to live by while we’re living!

Objective for each of the 200 days:

• No Sugar. The only exception is some maple or honey for coffee/tea.
• At least 1 workout of 1 hour. Must include cardio. Surfing preferred. Starting slow over the first 30 days. NO INJURIES ALLOWED!
• Meat, Veg, Fruit. If I do carbs, they have to be non-processed, clean, organic.
• No Booze. Reserved for cheat days at a specific amount.
• 1/2-1 Gallon of Water/Day. Water with minerals added.
• Reading/Sleep. Reading each night before bed. Solid sleep routine, no food before bed, no screens.
• Duolingo. Since we’ll be surfing Mexico, I need to get reacquainted with the language.
• OPTIONAL: Breathwork, Meditation, Intermittent Fasting, Cold Plunge, Sauna.

If anyone wants to join, you can download this PDF for printing. It has a chart with small boxes to cross out for each of the 230 days. For mine, I’ve corresponded basic dates that I know I’ll need to cheat. Ex. a party where I’ll want to have sugar and booze. Days I know I wont have an opportunity to work out. etc… Then I keep reserve days of those 30 available for when I blow it.

Here’s an example of a more personalized chart just for me (with potential cheat days in yellow (days kids are out of school, holidays like Thanksgiving, etc…)

My Personal Goals:

• Surf 100 Times. I have one of those surf tracking apps on my watch, so I can see how often I surf per year. It’s really embarrassing. Since having kids, it’s gone down to 5-20 times per year. This year, I haven’t broken 10 sessions… I’m willing to call it a surf session if I’m in for more than 20 minutes and catch at least a few waves.
• Stay at 180 lbs. I’m not trying to lose weight. I want to turn my loco moco layers into a musubi 6-pack.
• Cut Inflammation. This year has sucked physically. Time to
• Eventual 200 Day Success. Anticipating cheat days, I think I can pull this off.

Tricking Myself into the win:

Here are a few things I’m doing to help myself get through it without too much thought or oversights:

• Group Help: I’m enlisting my wife and kids for many of the workouts. I’m also going to send this to some of my surf buddies.
• Measured Pours: I’m literally prepouring my drinks ahead of time. I’m alotted only a certain amount of booze per cheat day.
• Cooking: Amazing dishes are going to be a major outlet for me. I know how to cook clean, delicious meals that move me forward with my goals.

UPDATES:

• October 26th – I currently weigh 176.6 lbs. I’m inflamed, feel like crap, and am FAR from surf-trip shape. More to come!