An Unexpected Twist in Week 4: A Lost Kitten and a BBQ Challenge

Week 4 of my 75 Hard journey unfolded just like the previous weeks, with the same routines and daily commitments. However, the end of this week presented an unexpected twist that temporarily derailed our carefully planned schedule. Here's what happened.

A Purrfect Interruption

It all began during our usual Friday night walk around the neighborhood. On this particular evening, we ventured out a bit later than usual, thanks to a recent storm. As we strolled along, we noticed distant lightning and felt light sprinkles of rain. Despite these minor inconveniences, we persisted with our walk.

It was during this walk that we heard a faint but concerning "meow" ahead of us. Intrigued and somewhat worried, we decided to investigate. As we got closer, our suspicions were confirmed. A sweet little kitten appeared, and it was clear she was not in the best of situations. She was friendly, meowing, and displaying all the signs of a lost pet in need of help.

This adorable little girl followed us home, covering an entire mile. It was a heartwarming sight but also a predicament. You see, our neighborhood was no stranger to cats, both strays and indoor/outdoor ones that peacefully coexisted. These feline residents usually went about their business, people-watching and enjoying their little cat community. However, this kitten was different, and it was apparent she was someone's pet who had either escaped or gotten lost.

To ensure her safety, we set up a cozy spot for her in our garage, complete with food, water, and a litter box. However, we couldn't keep her as a permanent resident due to our existing pet dynamics, especially our cat Tank, who is not the most sociable feline in the world.

BBQ Dilemma and Late-Night Workout

The twist in our 75 Hard journey occurred on the following Saturday. We had plans to get our reading and first workouts done early, so we could attend a BBQ with my husband's work friends and still have the evening to ourselves. However, our best-laid plans went awry.

The evening before had been an adventure of its own with the discovery of the lost kitten, but that didn't deter us from our commitment. On Saturday, we embarked on our evening walk just as our area saw the tail end of the storm. It was supposed to be a short 2-mile walk to complete our exercise requirement for the day.

Yet, during the walk, we heard another one of those heart-wrenching "meows." The source? The same kitten from the previous evening, who had managed to follow us on our walk again. It was clear this kitten needed our help, and we couldn't turn away.

This diversion from our planned schedule meant that we had no time to complete our workout before the BBQ. As a result, we consciously decided to exercise later in the evening, even though it meant a very late-night workout.

BBQ, Water, and Self-Control

The BBQ, despite the disruptions, turned out to be a fun event. I had the opportunity to meet new people, enjoy good company, and answer the inevitable questions about why we were carrying around enormous water jugs. Instead of indulging in alcoholic drinks like our friends, we sipped on our water, and it was an empowering experience. It was refreshing to exercise self-control while being surrounded by supportive and curious individuals who respected our dedication to the 75 Hard Challenge. This experience prompted us to plan our very own Memorial Day BBQ with the confidence that we could stick to our regimen.

The Importance of Time Management

The unexpected turns during week 4 taught us a valuable lesson in time management. Going forward, we've resolved to strictly adhere to our schedules for future events. Having an accountability partner in each other has proven invaluable in staying on track and ensuring we meet our daily commitments.

In a nutshell, week 4 was a mostly uneventful continuation of our 75 Hard journey. We've hit the one-month mark, and the commitment remains unwavering. In the upcoming week, I'll delve into our workout routine, addressing some of the questions we've received about this aspect of the challenge. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, as there are seven more weeks to go!