Mind, Body, and Spirit: The Impact of 75 Days of Yoga

Subscribe: RSS | More

I recently completed 75 days of yoga, and in this blog post, I want to share the physical and mental results I experienced during this journey. Welcome to my corner of the internet! If you’re new here, my name is Heather, and I create content about health, wellness, fitness, adventure, and all the things I do to evolve daily.

Back in April, I set out to tackle the 75 Hard Challenge. If you’re not familiar, it’s a 75-day challenge that includes working out twice a day (45 minutes each session, with one workout being outdoors), drinking a gallon of water daily, avoiding alcohol, committing to a diet, and reading 10 pages of nonfiction per day. I started with all intentions of completing the challenge, but a few weeks in, I faced some physical limitations that prevented me from working out as planned. That’s when I decided to pivot and create my own challenge: 75 days of yoga.

Heather shares her journey of completing 75 days of yoga, detailing the physical and mental benefits she experienced. Originally intending to do the 75 Hard challenge, she shifted focus due to physical constraints and instead committed to daily yoga. Heather discusses her progress, including weight loss, reduced resting heart rate, and improved stress management, and emphasizes the importance of consistency. She also encourages viewers to undertake their own 75-day challenge to enhance their well-being.

00:00 Introduction to My 75 Days of Yoga Challenge
00:17 Starting the 75 Hard Challenge
00:59 Transition to 75 Days of Yoga
01:23 Daily Yoga Practice and Social Media Updates
02:02 Components of My Yoga Practice
03:18 Results: Weight Loss and Diet Changes
04:54 Results: Resting Heart Rate Improvement
05:53 Results: Mental and Emotional Benefits
06:36 Consistency and Final Thoughts

How It All Started

From day one, I decided to practice yoga every single day. Initially, I was sharing daily pictures on social media as a reflection of what I felt each day, how my yoga practice went, and how I was progressing. If you head over to my Instagram (@HeatherMonthie), you can see the posts documenting my journey. I did miss three days, including the very first day, but the rest were due to forgetting to post.

Yoga isn’t just about doing poses or attending classes; it’s a holistic practice that encompasses more than just physical movement. For my 75-day yoga challenge, I focused on three main areas: meditation, breathwork, and asana (the physical practice of yoga). Of the 75 days, I did a yoga class at least 65 times, whether at a studio, at home, or through Peloton classes. On days when I couldn’t physically do much, I focused on meditation, quiet reflection, and breathwork to manage stress.

The Results of 75 Days of Yoga

After completing this challenge, I noticed several significant changes, both physically and mentally. Here are some of the most impactful results:

1. Weight Loss

The first thing everyone seems curious about is that I lost 13 pounds. However, I don’t believe that yoga alone was responsible for this weight loss. It was more about reducing inflammation and retaining less water. As part of the original 75 Hard Challenge, I had committed to a diet, which for me meant tracking my food intake. This practice led to better eating habits and more mindful meal timing. I became more conscious about not having a heavy meal right before a yoga session, especially when doing inversions or poses like downward dog, which can be uncomfortable on a full stomach.

Though I didn’t notice much of a change in clothing sizes due to my height (I’m 5’10”), I did see a decrease on the scale. While many people argue that scale weight isn’t important, I have my own views on this, which I’ll cover in another post.

2. Lower Resting Heart Rate

Another significant change was in my resting heart rate, which I monitor using my Fitbit. I’ve tracked my resting heart rate for over 20 years, initially doing so manually each morning upon waking. Throughout the 75 days, my resting heart rate dropped by about 5 to 7 beats per minute. This decrease indicates that my body was more relaxed, likely due to better stress management through yoga and breathwork.

3. A New Perspective on Stress

One of the most profound shifts I experienced was a change in my attitude towards stress and insignificant issues. As I continued my yoga practice, I found myself caring less about trivial matters. There’s a meme of Keanu Reeves circulating the internet that perfectly encapsulates this feeling: “I’m at a point in my life where if you want to say that two plus two equals five, I’ll just agree and move on.” This is where I found myself by the end of the 75 days—much less bothered by things that don’t matter in the grand scheme of life.

This shift may also be influenced by my age (I’m 47), but I do attribute a lot of this newfound perspective to the mental clarity and emotional balance I gained from daily yoga practice.

Staying Consistent: The Key to Success

One of the most valuable lessons I learned from this challenge was the importance of consistency. Sharing my progress on social media helped keep me accountable and motivated. Even when I missed a couple of days towards the end, I made sure to stay consistent with my practice. This daily routine instilled a sense of discipline in me that extended beyond yoga.

I also started tracking my food intake daily, which further helped me build consistency in my eating habits. It was a powerful reminder that when you commit to doing something every single day, even when you’re tired or halfway asleep, you’re more likely to stick with it.

Moving Forward: A 75-Day Challenge for Everyone

Completing the 75 days of yoga taught me that committing to a regular practice—whatever it might be—can have profound effects on both body and mind. Whether it’s yoga, walking, or any other form of movement, dedicating yourself to something for 75 days is a great way to build consistency and form positive habits.

A friend of mine suggested that I create a “75 Days of Whatever” challenge where participants choose their own activity and commit to it for 75 days. I’m excited to work on this concept and invite those who are interested to join in. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being consistent and showing up for yourself every day, no matter how small the action.

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the benefits I gained from doing yoga for 75 days. I encourage everyone to think about something they want to commit to for 75 days, whether it’s yoga, walking on a treadmill, lifting weights, or any form of movement. It’s all about finding what works for you and sticking with it.

By reflecting on my experience and sharing it with you, I hope to inspire others to take on a similar challenge and discover the benefits that consistency and commitment can bring to your life. Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. So pick something you love, commit to it, and see how it transforms you in 75 days!