The Column
Review of a timeboxed challenge & spiritual sequel to Column 459.
100 Day “Glow Up” Challenge
Why
Life is better during a challenge. Evidence. Evidence. Evidence.
What
From March 25, 2026 to July 3, 2026 Melissa and I did a 75Hard-inspired “100 Day Glow Up” challenge of our own design. In short, every day we:
The idea was to do 75Hard, but slightly easier - then make up for that ease by doing it slightly longer.
How’d it Go
Very good!
Qualitative Results
Speaking for both Melissa and I - we love it. We felt great. We were happier, more together, and generally more on top of life. At no point did I feel bloated or bad. I ate better. Drank better. Slept better. Things were honestly just, across the board, better… except.
I miss ice cream.
End of list.
The rest of it - honestly - not much. I didn’t miss drinking. I didn’t really miss most sugary things. No “Added” sugar is very different from “no sugar”. We most certainly had our fair share of fruits and smoothies… but I’m not exactly jumping back into the alcohols and sugars trains. Nor am I jumping off the exercise one.
Quantitative Results
I have a really cool Data Journal (and you could make one too!) to do a quantitative analysis against.
- 100 DAY → 2026-03-25 to 2026-07-03
- COMPARISON → Average of that same timespan in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, & 2025
The 100 Day Glow Up was better across the board - EXCEPT for Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and the number of times I ate out.
I worked out more, no surprise, but essentially all of the increase was seen in cardio & mobility work. My strength stayed completely flat. Interesting!
I bookended the 100 Day Challenge with my Generalized Health Benchmark test.
| Test Name | Pre-challenge | Post-challenge | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mi run | 9:33 | 8:44 | Pace per mile |
| Pullups | 14 | 15 | Reps in 2 min |
| Pushups | 29 | 31 | Reps in 2 min |
| Deadlift | 2 | 5 | Reps of 275 in 1 set |
| Plank | 120 | 130 | Seconds held |
So - across the board I did better. Which is awesome.
Oh, and happy 250th birthday America!
Now, onto what’s next.
Top 5: Summer 2026 Challenge Goals
5. Home Improvement
This will be a huge part of the summer.
- Scrape popcorn & paint ceilings – Underway
- New light fixtures & outlets – Underway
- Built-in bookcases – Underway
- Paint walls & trim
- …other things, I’m sure
4. Workout Er’ Day
Exercising is no longer something I am doing. It is something I do.
The distinction in words is subtle. The distinction in self-perception is monumental.
I’m keeping this on the challenge so that it doesn’t get out-prioritized by other things.
3. Alcohol Smart
This is basically just shy of fully abstaining from alcohol. If it’s a social gathering and not a work night, having a cocktail is nice. Otherwise, no thanks.
2. Meal Prep Focus
Every day, at least one meal will be from a previous day. I want to use (and expand) my Default Meals List and dig into these cookbooks laying around.
1. Phoneless Homelife
My phone now lives on “Phone Island”, which is my master bathroom counter. If I want to use my phone, I go there and use it. Then I leave it there to go do better things with my family.
Quote:
Living with intentional, self-imposed rules invariably leads to growth, improvement, and APPRECIATION of that which would otherwise become a mindless, stagnant default.
- The index card I wrote reflecting on the challenge