Took on the 'Drink 4L Water Daily' Challenge and Ended Up Hospitalized... "Such Challenges Are Unrealistic"

Diagnosed with Sodium Deficiency Just 2 Weeks After Joining the Challenge

A Canadian woman who participated in a challenge to drink 1 gallon (3.78ℓ) of water daily for 75 days received hospital treatment due to sodium deficiency symptoms.

On the 27th (local time), foreign media including the New York Post and the UK Independent reported the story of Michelle Fairburn, who lives in Toronto, Canada. Fairburn, a TikToker and real estate agent in Canada, participated in the '75 Hard challenge,' which involves drinking 1 gallon of water daily for 75 days, and was diagnosed with severe sodium deficiency after just two weeks.

Fairburn enthusiastically took on the 75 Hard challenge. However, on the 12th day of the challenge, he ultimately had to be hospitalized.
[Photo by Michelle Fairburn TikTok]

The 75 Hard challenge was proposed in 2019 by YouTuber and well-known supplement brand owner Andy Frisella. Participants in this challenge must drink 1 gallon of water daily for 75 days, follow a strict diet, exercise twice a day for 45 minutes each session, read 10 pages daily, and take photos to verify their progress. The rule is that if they skip even one day during the challenge period, they must start over from the beginning.

Fairburn enthusiastically took on the 75 Hard challenge. However, on the 12th day of the challenge, she ultimately had to be hospitalized.

Fairburn posted on TikTok about her current condition, saying, "During the challenge, I often woke up at night to go to the bathroom," and "I lost muscle and appetite, and I feel unwell as if I have water intoxication."

The 75 Hard Challenge is a challenge proposed in 2019 by Andy Frisella, a YouTuber and CEO of a well-known supplement brand, advocating for "mental toughness." Participants in this challenge must, for 75 days, drink 1 gallon of water daily, strictly manage their diet, exercise twice a day for 45 minutes each session, and read 10 pages a day, then take a photo to verify their progress. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Pixabay]

Medical staff diagnosed Fairburn with sodium deficiency when she visited the hospital. Sodium deficiency occurs when the body's sodium concentration drops due to excessive water intake. The main symptoms include vomiting and nausea, and in severe cases, it can lead to seizures or coma.

Fairburn said, "Fortunately, blood tests showed no major problems," but also stated, "I will not give up on the 75 Hard challenge."

She revealed that she plans to continue the challenge by reducing her water intake to less than 0.5ℓ per day as recommended by her doctor and maintaining regular exercise.

Meanwhile, experts related to the 75 Hard challenge told the media, "This kind of challenge is unrealistic and does not lead to a healthy life," and "We strongly oppose participating in such challenges."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.