75 Hard Day 4: Energy Shifts, Hunger Cues & Finding a Rhythm
Wednesday — Day 4.
Day 4 started sometime around 4 AM.
Not fully awake.
Not fully asleep either.
I woke up a couple of times during the night to pee—which honestly already feels like progress compared to the three-times-a-night situation from the first few days.
Lights were out around 10 PM the night before, and by about 4:45, I finally decided to stop laying there and just get up.
So I started my morning quietly.
Reading my pages from The River of Doubt before the house fully woke up.
Morning Workout + Hot Water Ritual
I started the morning the same way I’ve been starting every day:
Hot water first.
Then my 5:15 AM Zoom workout.
Full body.
Full cardio.
Hard work.
There’s something about moving first thing in the morning that changes the energy of the whole day.
It creates momentum.
Breakfast
Breakfast was simple and familiar:
Vanilla Greek yogurt
Blueberries
Chia seeds
Easy. High protein. High fiber.
One less thing to think about on a busy morning.
Outside Workout + Beautiful Spring Weather
Around 11, I took my outside workout.
Just a walk through a neighborhood—
but honestly, this time of year in Northern California makes it hard not to enjoy it.
The hills are green.
Everything is blooming.
Late spring here is just beautiful.
And I think that’s what’s making the walks feel easier right now.
Not necessarily the walking itself—
just being outside in gorgeous weather after spending so much of winter feeling cooped up and heavy.
Lunch
Lunch was simple:
One turkey and cheese roll-up with:
turkey
Colby Jack cheese
mustard
a pickle spear
alfalfa sprouts
Quick, easy, high protein, and perfect for a busy workday.
But interestingly enough, I really wasn’t hungry most of the morning.
Then around 2:30…
It hit all at once.
Really hungry.
Which I’m starting to realize probably means my body is adjusting to:
the workouts
the increased water
the overall activity level
Snack: The Leek Soup Trick
So later in the afternoon, I had my second roll-up alongside the leek soup I had prepped ahead of time.
I originally learned about leek soup from French Women Don't Get Fat.
It’s simple, warm, comforting, and honestly really filling.
Kind of like an appetite reset.
You could honestly accomplish something similar with a really good broth too.
And this is exactly the kind of thing I’m trying to lean into during this challenge:
Simple foods.
Warm foods.
Foods that feel supportive instead of extreme.
Dinner
Dinner was incredible.
A seasonal goat cheese and chicken salad from Mendocino Farms.
And honestly?
It was one of those meals that reminds me healthy food can still feel exciting.
Fresh greens.
Creamy goat cheese.
Perfectly cooked chicken.
Simple, seasonal, satisfying.
Evening Exhaustion + Showing Up Anyway
After dinner, I hit a wall.
I wanted to lay down immediately.
And honestly… I almost stayed there.
But first, I still had my 6:30 workout to teach.
Full body again.
And by the time it was over?
I was done.
Completely exhausted.
I took a shower, laid down, put my feet up, and stayed there until I finally went to sleep around 10 PM.
Maybe I was just too exhausted for my square of dark chocolate.
Because, I skipped it.
Not because I couldn’t have it.
I just genuinely didn’t feel like I needed it.
Honestly, the hardest part of the night was forcing myself to get back up and take my progress photos before bed.
That felt harder than the workouts.
What I’m Noticing on Day 4
A few things are shifting already.
Bathroom breaks are down to about once an hour now—which honestly feels like a major improvement.
And today, for the first time since starting, I realized…
I didn’t have a headache at all.
That felt huge.
My body also feels noticeably less stiff than normal.
And honestly, that surprised me.
My muscles have felt tight and achy for months—way more than they should for someone who teaches yoga, works out regularly, and stays active.
I think I underestimated how cooped up winter makes me feel.
Less movement outside.
Less sun.
More sitting.
More hibernating.
And I really think it was the water.
Because now that I’m consistently drinking this much water, my body feels different.
Less swollen.
Less achy.
Less heavy.
Like my muscles are finally starting to loosen up again.
And honestly?
That alone makes this challenge feel worth it already.
What I’m Learning on Day 4
This challenge isn’t just about discipline.
It’s about awareness.
About paying attention to:
hunger
energy
habits
routines
what actually supports me
And honestly?
I think that’s where the real transformation happens.
Not in perfection.
In awareness.
Day 4 Complete
Still adjusting.
Still aligned.
