Heard of 75 Hard? Try 'Operation 66' instead

The newest fitness challenge made for women

There are so many fitness challenges being talked about online, it can be hard to know which is best for you. Experts say Operation 66 could help you meet and maintain your fitness and wellness goals.

You’ve probably seen progress photos from countless men on your Instagram feed with ‘75 Hard’ somewhere in the caption.

The fitness and self-improvement challenge directs participants to follow a diet, drink about four litres of water, read 10 pages of a book and work out twice a day for 75 days, as a way to build mental toughness.

Many people attempt the challenge but lose motivation somewhere in those 10 and a bit weeks as the challenge can’t be modified, and you have to start from day one if you slip up.

Enter Operation 66, the more sustainable cousin of the 75 Hard.

What is Operation 66?

Creator Angelina Nicolle said she wanted to make a change in her life but “75 Hard never really felt like it fit in with my lifestyle.

"When I heard that it takes 66 days for a habit to become automatic, I decided to challenge myself for 66 days and created the habits that I felt would help me reach my full potential,” as per The Everygirl.

The challenge promotes developing healthy habits that last beyond the 66 days by following six daily rules:

1. Drink about 500mls of water when you wake up
2. Avoid screen time for the first and last hour of the day
3. Do 45–60 minutes of exercise
4. Dedicate 30–60 minutes to a hobby or goal
5. Stretch for 10 minutes
6. Follow a 90/10 diet consisting of 90 per cent whole, unprocessed foods, and 10 per cent treats or anything else you feel like eating. 

Drink about 500mls of water when you wake up. Image: Pexels.

Why is Operation 66 more sustainable than other fitness challenges?

Many other fitness challenges focus on being disciplined and determined for a designated period of time in order to see results. Experts say this lack of room for failure can lead to people prematurely giving up on their commitment.

Personal trainer Michael Betts told The Everygirl “You’ll be more engaged and committed” to meeting your goals during Operation 66 as “you set your own goals and choose tasks that match your personal needs and aspirations”.

People taking part in Operation 66 can continue the challenge if they miss a day, choose what exercise and hobby they feel like doing each day, and stick to a less restrictive diet than other challenges. 

People taking part in Operation 66 can continue the challenge if they miss a day, choose what exercise and hobby they feel like doing each day, and stick to a less restrictive diet than other challenges. Image: iStock

Nicolle insisted the goal of her challenge is to change your life through developing lasting habits, rather than being strict with yourself for short-term results. “Studies have shown that it takes about 66 days for a habit to become automatic, so the goal is that after the challenge is over, these six habits will be ingrained into your routine”, she said.

Clinician and researcher Dr Zulia Frost agreed that the challenge is more achievable and sustainable for participants than other popular fitness challenges.

“Operation 66 is a well-suited challenge promoting long-term habit-building and aiming for steady, realistic transformation rather than a drastic short-term overhaul," she said. “It promotes consistency, a key to long-term success. By integrating these gentle practices into daily life, Operation 66 offers an accessible path to achieving a healthier lifestyle with minimal resistance.”

Operation 66 is a well-suited challenge promoting long-term habit-building and aiming for steady, realistic transformation rather than a drastic short-term overhaul. Image: iStock

How to complete Operation 66

#1. Determine your priorities

Personalise the rules to your goals. You can choose to do your favourite workouts 5 days of the week, and the one you find the most difficult twice. You can use the 90/10 diet to swap alcohol for sugary treats or meat products for vegetarian foods.

Make the challenge work for you by setting realistic goals that don’t feel overwhelming.

#2. Stack new habits

Making multiple changes to your daily routine at once can feel like a lot, especially if you’re time poor. 

Nicolle suggested combining habits so you can tick several off your daily to-do list at once. “I like to combine my habits so that it becomes more manageable,” she said. 

#3. Track your progress

Betts said “Staying motivated without external support might be tough for some,” so tracking your progress can help you stay accountable. 

Nicolle tracks her feelings and progress, and has developed worksheets to help you record how you’re going throughout the challenge. 

If you feel up to starting a fitness challenge today, you can have new established habits by mid-January.

Consider us aboard the Operation 66 train!

Originally published as Heard of 75 Hard? Try 'Operation 66' instead