Firing up the furnace
Before we begin, remember: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. Please consult your doctor or healthcare professional before starting any diet or exercise program.
What is 75 Refined? First, what it is not:
75 Refined is not 75 HARD®. 75 HARD® is a registered trademark of 44Seven Media, LLC. “75 Refined” is not affiliated with or endorsed by 44Seven Media.
75 HARD® was definitely the spark of inspiration behind this
challenge, but we wanted to create something more spiritually
focused while still challenging the mind and body.
The programs are distinct in many ways. As you will see below,
while physical growth is part of the process, the primary focus is
spiritual refinement.
Let’s Talk About 75 Refined:
This challenge is not meant to be easy. It is meant to stretch you
physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Take the next 75 days to be very intentional with your time. This
will not reflect your everyday routine, but for the next 75 days,
deeply consider how you want the rest of your life to look. What
habits from this challenge could become lifelong practices?
Is this an intense, once-a-year challenge for you—or something you
revisit more often?
Whether you are doing this solo or with a group, approach it with
purpose. Now, let’s go over the program and how to use this journey.
You can create a custom 75 day Bible reading plan with the help of: biblereadingplangenerator.com (This is what I used when creating a plan for the Guided Journal which you can buy here.).
We are not affiliated with this site, but we found it immeasurably helpful in creating this plan.
This is an excellent resource if you want to plan and schedule your Bible reading. For iPhone users, you can set up the plan and create calendar links for iCal to receive daily reminders of what to read. We encourage you to visit their website and explore the tools they offer.
The M’Cheyne reading plan is specifically designed to take you through the New Testament and the book of Psalms twice while completing the rest of the Bible in one year. This may be a challenge to participate in, in the future.
They offer many customizable options. Please consider visiting their website and supporting them on Patreon.
Here are the stats:
During this Bible reading challenge, your average time spent
reading will be 50.73 minutes per day. You will read as few as 305
verses, and as many as 669 verses, depending on the day.
The next few pages will provide a more in-depth breakdown of the program and plan details.
The Program
MIND
Read a minimum of 10 pages per day from a non-fiction
book. (Personal growth, spiritual growth, finances, biography,
etc.) The point is that it must be non-fiction.
Spend time away from social media and other electronic
distractions. This does not have to be a complete fast, but be
intentional.
Journal your reflections on what you read each day in the
space provided.
BODY
Workout a minimum of 5 days per week. (It does not have
to be a gym session. Cardio, weight training, brisk walks, or
other intentional movement count.)
Follow a strict diet without cheat meals. (It does not matter
if it is Vegan, Carnivore, Low Carb, Mediterranean, Keto...what
matters is that it is healthy and consistent. No cheat meals.)
Drink between 64–128 oz. of water per day. (This varies
based on size, activity level, and diet. Those on a heavy fruit and
vegetable diet may require less water than someone eating strict
carnivore. The point: most of us are not drinking enough water,
and this discipline brings it to the forefront.)
SPIRIT
Read the entire Bible in 75 days. (We have provided a daily
reading plan to guide you through the Old and New
Testaments.)
Listening to the Bible through the Bible app is okay with a
caveat. Read along while you listen. This is about
intentionality. It is easy for it to become background noise. If it
helps, put it on 1.5 or 2x speed, but read along. Pause to
highlight when scripture jumps out.
Journal key takeaways from your Bible reading. (You will read
a lot—focus on a few points that stood out.)
Pray at least three times per day, with one session lasting
at least 20 minutes. (We are drawing closer to the Lord, and it is
crucial to spend intentional time with Him.)
Incorporate fasting during this challenge. (The type,
frequency, and duration are between you and the Lord. You may
fast a meal, a day, several days, a particular food, or an activity.)
Journal your prayer time. (Write down verses the Lord puts on
your heart, prayer requests, and anything you feel God may be
speaking to you about.)
Before you begin, you will find space to write your thoughts about where you are today and what you hope to accomplish over the next 75 days.
At the end of the challenge, we have included space for you to reflect
on how you grew—spiritually, mentally, and physically.
How did it feel to accomplish such a challenge?
Maybe this sparks a desire to attempt something like 75 HARD®. Maybe you start keeping a daily prayer journal. Maybe you dive deeper into Bible reading, even tackling a new translation cover to cover.
Whatever growth looks like for you, take the time to journal your journey and celebrate the investment you made in yourself and your relationship with God.
Getting Started
The journal should be fairly straightforward. Each day, write the date and, once you’ve completed all tasks, mark the day as done. Remember that a day is only considered complete when all activities are checked off. The only exception is workouts, which are required only five days per week.
Tracking Your Workouts
Keeping track of your workouts is a great way to gauge your progress. While the journal I created (if you choose to purchase it) doesn’t have that feature built in, many apps can help you log your fitness goals. I like the Strong App on iPhone. It offers both free and paid versions. There are many others available for iOS and Android.
Journaling
For your personal reading, record the title and author of the book, the chapters or pages you read each day, and your key takeaways and action steps from the reading.
As part of your evening prayer, take time to reflect on the day and thank God for sustaining you. You may not be accustomed to keeping a journal (I wasn’t at first) but I’ve found it incredibly valuable. Don’t overcomplicate it: write what you feel God is speaking to you or note what you’re praying for.
Lastly, don’t feel limited to the space in this notebook. If you have more to write, use loose sheets of paper, a blank notebook, or a digital document on your computer. Again, don’t overcomplicate it. Let it guide you throughout the challenge.
Community
You’re not meant to heat the iron alone. Join our free Facebook group for daily encouragement, accountability, and to share your “hot off the press” victories: 75 Refined Facebook Group