Tomorrow I embark on testing out Jillian Michaels’s 30 Strong Challenge for myself. Throwback to the Quarantine days (major side note – something I think about all the time is whether or not people will capitalize the ‘q’ of the major quarantine period when COVID shutdowns first started happening in March 2020, but I’m adopting it regardless) when everyone’s FYP on TikTok was flooded with popular health and well-being challenges to pass the time, this being one of them.

The 30 Strong Challenge is described by many who have tried it as mentally challenging because of the stringent guidelines outlining what you can and cannot do while following it. I created an infographic for my own sake and am sharing it here to help you make sense of the many do’s and don’t’s of the challenge.

As shown in the infographic above, the challenge touches on resetting our mind, fitness, and nutrition habits by pushing our bodies to do things that we might’ve become accustomed to glossing over in our daily choices. In terms of diet, the 30 Strong Challenge calls for no consumption of alcohol, sweets, and hard-core snacking for a month, and to instead incorporate a more diverse range of nutrient-dense foods and water into our diets to curb the cravings. For exercise, you’re supposed to give your body two rest days, four days of strength and mobility-focused workouts, and one day dedicated to HIIT, with light recovery (e.g. yoga, walking, swimming) activities incorporated in. And for that mental re-boot, the challenge calls for you to follow the Wim Hof Cold Shower Regimen breath work exercises that can be found on YouTube, daily. Rest should also be prioritized, getting at least 7-8

Wim Hof Cold Shower Regimen

Week 1: 30-second cold shower

Week 2: 1:00 minute cold shower

Week 3: 1:30 minute cold shower

Week 4: 2:00 minute cold shower

hours of sleep per night.

I have recently felt my body craving stability and nourishment after never really getting back into the wellness routine I prioritized before the 2021 holiday season began (and when I mean holiday season I’m including Halloween so this has been a long time coming). I’ve become accustomed to eating more foods that are high on the glycemic index and drinking more alcohol than my body can handle in the long run. I also can’t remember a time since before coming to college that I’ve gone an entire month without drinking.

Basically, my body just needs to be re-stabilized by turning my current lifestyle on its head.

This challenge is going to be hard, especially considering how a lot of my social life in college revolves around going out to eat and drink, and the commitment to routine it requires. However, getting through these 30 days won’t be impossible.

My plan for right now is to check back in at the end of each week with an update on how I’m feeling, any progress, and the tips and tricks I’ve picked up to help you guys out if you want to join in on the fun ;).

Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever completed the 30 Strong Challenge and your biggest takeaways from it! I’m so excited to start and can’t wait to take you guys along with me. As always, I hope you make the most of the week ahead ❤

💘 Hanna