In 2021, I experienced a severe bout of burnout. I had been doing far too much for far too long. I won’t list everything I was carrying at that time because I’ve healed so deeply since then that I hardly recognize the woman I was. But I will tell you this: I hit rock bottom hard. I had nowhere to go but up and nothing left to do but heal.

By the grace of God, I did both.

During my healing journey, I learned to release pieces of myself that were no longer aligned with God’s plans for my life. They weren’t part of the woman He created me to be. After stripping everything back, I was able to rebuild.

Today, I’m in a healthy place in most areas of my life. But in the rebuilding process, I stripped away too much. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And I began treating it like it wasn’t.

Now, I find myself uncomfortable in my own skin. I get winded doing simple tasks. My clothes no longer fit. I don’t feel like myself anymore.

I knew something had to change.

I would try to eat healthier and start working out. It would last about three days. Then I’d quit. I’d overindulge and promise myself I’d “start fresh on Monday.” Monday would come… and so would the excuses. The cycle repeated itself over and over again, and the scale kept score.

One afternoon, while folding laundry and watching YouTube, a video popped up from a creator I don’t even follow. (I’m convinced Jesus had something to do with that.) She was sharing her experience with 75 Hard.

Do you remember that challenge? It exploded in 2019. Created by Andy Frisella, it’s a mental toughness program that requires participants to complete a strict set of daily tasks for 75 days straight. Miss one task and you start over at day one, no matter how far in you are.

The daily tasks include:

• Two 45-minute workouts (at least three hours apart; one must be outside)
• Drink one gallon of water
• Read ten pages of a personal development book
• Follow a clean eating plan
• No alcohol
• Take a progress picture

The woman in the video wasn’t a fitness influencer. She was just a regular woman with a demanding full-time job and a long commute. She openly shared that she had previously failed on day 38 — in front of her 55,000 subscribers — and decided to try again. I loved how real she was.

She didn’t have kids and was probably twenty years younger than me, but I couldn’t shake the thought: If she can do something like this… maybe I can do something similar.

When 75 Hard first came out, I was too intimidated to try it. At the time, I was already working out intensely and knew adding a second 45-minute workout daily would push me too far. I also heard mixed reviews. Some people felt empowered and disciplined afterward, while others said it wasn’t sustainable or healthy long-term.

And if I’m honest? I’m not ready for 75 Hard.

I don’t want to set myself up for failure.

But I am turning 46 in May.

And that number feels significant.

Not in a fearful way. Not in a “fix everything before my birthday” way. But in a stewardship way. I want to enter my 46th year with momentum. I want healthy habits already in motion. I want to feel strong, disciplined, and aligned. Both physically and spiritually, as I step into a new year of life.

So I prayed. I thought about what discipline could look like for me. And out of that came the 75 Day Grace Challenge.

If I complete 75 days now, I’ll finish just before my birthday. This feels intentional and symbolic. Not a reset button… but a strong starting line.

This is my version…structured, but rooted in grace.

And because I know consistency is easier when you can see your progress, I even created a simple 75-day tracker to keep myself accountable. Keep reading because I’m sharing it with you!

My Daily Commitments for 75 Day Grace:

• Two workouts per day (any length), at least three hours apart; one must be outdoors
• Drink half my body weight in ounces of water
• Read one chapter of the Bible
• Follow a simple, clean meal plan
• Take a daily progress picture and weekly measurements

As I was forming this plan, my pastor challenged our church to ask God to reveal areas where sin might be quietly creeping into our lives. During prayer, something very specific surfaced for me: gossip.

Since starting my job in June, I’ve been praying often for help guarding my tongue. I’ve found myself in situations where it’s very tempting to complain or speak poorly about others. I would catch myself, confess it in prayer, ask for forgiveness… and then find myself doing it again.

Over and over.

So during these 75 days, I’m adding another layer of discipline: controlling my tongue.

This might actually be the hardest part of the entire challenge.

True discipline isn’t just about workouts and water intake. It’s about heart posture. It’s about obedience. It’s about becoming more like Christ.

I’d love for you to join me. By the time you’re reading this, I’ll already be a few days in, but you can start anytime. There’s always grace for a fresh beginning.

You can read more about the challenge at justbeingkara.com/75gracechallenge, and I’ve created a free 75 Day Grace tracker you can download there to help you stay consistent and keep track of your daily habits throughout the entire challenge.

Print it out. Put it on your fridge. Keep it in your Bible. Make it visible.

And if you decide to jump in, I’d love to cheer you on. Follow along on Instagram where I’ll be sharing my progress, the wins, and the hard days, in real time.

Here’s How It’s Going So Far…

Sunday – Day 1

I intentionally began on a Sunday so I could ease into the routine without a work schedule in the mix.

After church, I ate lunch and headed out for a 40-minute walk. It was bitterly cold, but the sun was shining, and it felt incredible to move my body outside.

I hit my water goal, ate clean, read my Bible chapter, took my progress picture and measurements (which horrified me), and finished the evening with 25 minutes on the elliptical.

Day one complete.
No gossip.

Monday – Day 2

Workdays require intention.

That morning, I completed an arm workout, six exercises in a circuit, and repeated it three times. Afterward, I made coffee and spent time in my reading room with my Bible.

I packed:

• Two hard-boiled eggs and a protein waffle for breakfast
• A big, satisfying salad for lunch
• A natural beef stick, grapes, and baby carrots for a snack

Before leaving, I snapped a progress picture.

At work, I drank 40 ounces of water and took a 30-minute walk during my lunch break. Dinner was a salad with breaded chicken in a flax wrap… not perfect, but balanced and intentional.

Water goal met.
Day two complete.
No gossip.

If you want to follow along, connect with me on Instagram. If you’d like to join the challenge, send me a message. I’d love to cheer you on.

Check back at the beginning of April for a full update. I’ll share what’s working, what’s hard, and how God is moving through it all.

Here’s to discipline…and grace.