How to Talk to Your Doctor Before Starting 75 Soft

"Talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise or nutrition program." You've seen this advice countless times—but nobody tells you how to have that conversation. What do you actually say? What should you ask? How do you explain a social media wellness challenge to a busy physician? This guide gives you practical scripts, essential questions, and strategies for making your pre-75 Soft appointment as productive as possible.

Why This Conversation Matters

You might be tempted to skip this step—especially if you feel healthy and the challenge seems gentle. But there are important reasons to have a healthcare conversation before starting:

• Catch hidden issues: Conditions like high blood pressure or prediabetes often have no symptoms but affect how you should exercise or eat
• Get personalized modifications: Your doctor can tailor the 75 Soft requirements to your specific situation
• Establish baseline: Pre-challenge health data gives you meaningful comparison points
• Medication considerations: Some medications interact with exercise or hydration changes
• Mental health screening: Your doctor may identify vulnerabilities you're unaware of
• Documentation: Having medical clearance protects you legally if issues arise

Your doctor isn't someone who gives you permission. They're a consultant who helps you make informed decisions about your health. Think of this as getting expert input, not asking for approval.

Scheduling Your Appointment

How you schedule the appointment affects how productive it will be:

Request a Wellness or Physical Exam Slot

Standard appointment slots are typically 15 minutes and focus on addressing acute concerns. For a thorough discussion about starting a 75-day wellness challenge, request:

• An annual physical (if you're due for one)
• A wellness consultation
• An extended appointment slot (if available)

State Your Purpose When Scheduling

When booking, be specific about why you're coming. Say something like:

This ensures the right amount of time is blocked and your doctor can prepare mentally for a prevention-focused conversation rather than a sick visit.

Timing Considerations

• Schedule at least 1-2 weeks before your intended start date
• Allow time for any recommended lab work to come back
• Don't schedule during flu season rushes if you can avoid it
• Morning appointments often run closer to schedule

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Preparation makes the conversation efficient and productive:

Essential Documents

• List of current medications: Including supplements, vitamins, and OTC drugs
• Summary of medical history: Especially recent changes or concerns
• Family health history: Particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or mental health conditions
• Fitness history: Current activity level, past exercise experience, injuries

75 Soft Information

Your doctor likely hasn't heard of 75 Soft. Bring a simple summary:

Your Prepared Questions

Write down your questions beforehand. Appointments go quickly, and you'll forget things in the moment. We'll cover specific questions to ask later in this article.

Note-Taking Materials

Bring a pen and paper, or ask if you can record the conversation. Many patients forget 40-80% of medical information immediately after appointments.

How to Explain 75 Soft to Your Doctor

Doctors see many patients who want to try the latest wellness trend. Framing 75 Soft appropriately helps your doctor take it seriously and provide useful guidance.

What to Emphasize

• Evidence alignment: "The exercise component aligns with AHA recommendations for weekly activity"
• Flexibility: "It's designed to be sustainable—there are built-in rest days and no restart requirements"
• Moderation: "The nutrition approach is 80/20—not elimination or extreme restriction"
• Your motivation: "I want to build consistent healthy habits in a structured way"

What to Avoid

• Don't lead with "It's a TikTok challenge"—this may trigger skepticism
• Don't minimize the commitment—be honest about the daily requirements
• Don't frame it as extreme or intense—it's specifically designed to be moderate
• Don't be defensive—you're seeking input, not validation

Opening the Conversation

Essential Questions to Ask

These questions ensure you get the most useful information from your appointment:

General Safety Questions

1. "Based on my current health status, do you see any concerns with this program?"
2. "Are there any tests you'd recommend before I start?"
3. "Is 45 minutes of daily exercise safe for me at my current fitness level?"
4. "Are there any exercises I should avoid or modify?"

Hydration Questions

1. "Is 3 liters of water daily appropriate for me given my medications and health conditions?"
2. "Should I be concerned about electrolyte balance with increased water intake?"
3. "Are there times I should adjust hydration (hot weather, intense exercise)?"

Nutrition Questions

1. "Are there any specific nutrition considerations I should keep in mind?"
2. "Will this eating pattern affect any of my medications?"
3. "Should I track anything specific (calories, macros) or just focus on food quality?"

Monitoring Questions

1. "What symptoms should prompt me to stop and seek medical attention?"
2. "Should I schedule a follow-up during or after the 75 days?"
3. "Are there any metrics I should track during the challenge?"

Condition-Specific Questions

1. "How does [my specific condition] affect my ability to do this safely?"
2. "Should I adjust any of my medications during this program?"
3. "What modifications would you recommend for someone with my health profile?"

Condition-Specific Conversations

If you have specific health conditions, here's how to guide the conversation:

Diabetes

Topics to discuss:

• Blood sugar monitoring during increased exercise
• Medication timing around workouts
• Signs of hypoglycemia to watch for
• Carbohydrate timing and pre/post-workout nutrition
• Whether the 80/20 approach needs more structure

Heart Conditions

Topics to discuss:

• Safe heart rate zones during exercise
• Activity types to favor or avoid
• Warning signs during exertion
• Whether stress testing is recommended first
• Impact on blood pressure medications

Mental Health Conditions

Topics to discuss:

• Whether structured challenges are advisable for you specifically
• Risk of challenge becoming obsessive or anxiety-inducing
• How to distinguish healthy motivation from problematic fixation
• Warning signs that the challenge is harmful
• Whether to involve your therapist in monitoring

Autoimmune Conditions

Topics to discuss:

• How to modify during flares
• Impact of exercise on your specific condition
• Fatigue management and knowing your limits
• Whether immunosuppressant medications affect safety

Pregnancy or Postpartum

Topics to discuss:

• Whether participation is appropriate for your stage
• Exercise modifications needed
• Nutrition and hydration adjustments
• Impact on breastfeeding (if applicable)
• When to pause for fatigue or recovery

When Your Doctor Has Concerns

Your doctor may express hesitation or recommend modifications. Here's how to respond constructively:

If They Suggest Waiting

Don't argue. Ask clarifying questions:

• "What specifically concerns you about me starting now?"
• "What would need to change for this to be safe for me?"
• "Is there a modified version that would be acceptable?"
• "When should we revisit this conversation?"

If They Recommend Modifications

Document the recommendations carefully:

• Which specific components need modification
• What the modifications should be
• Whether modifications are temporary or permanent
• How to know if adaptation is going well

If They're Unfamiliar with 75 Soft

Most doctors won't know the challenge by name. Focus on the components, not the label:

If They Dismiss the Conversation

Sometimes doctors are rushed or dismissive about wellness topics. If this happens:

• Politely persist: "I'd really like to discuss this because [explain your concern]"
• Ask for a referral: "Would you recommend I speak with a sports medicine physician or registered dietitian?"
• Schedule a dedicated appointment: "Could we schedule a separate visit to discuss this in more detail?"
• Consider finding a provider who prioritizes prevention and wellness

Beyond Your Primary Care Physician

Depending on your situation, other healthcare providers may offer valuable input:

Registered Dietitian

Consider consulting an RD if:

• You have specific nutrition concerns or restrictions
• You want personalized guidance on the 80/20 approach
• You have food allergies, intolerances, or digestive issues
• You're managing diabetes or weight concerns
• You have any history of disordered eating

Physical Therapist or Exercise Physiologist

Consult these professionals if:

• You have chronic pain or musculoskeletal issues
• You're returning from injury
• You want a personalized exercise program within 75 Soft
• You're unsure about exercise form or intensity

Therapist or Psychologist

Consider consulting if:

• You have history of eating disorders or exercise compulsion
• You're prone to perfectionism or all-or-nothing thinking
• You have anxiety about structured programs
• You want to approach the challenge with good mental health practices

Cardiologist

Get a referral if:

• You have any heart condition
• You have family history of early heart disease
• Your primary care suggests cardiac evaluation first

After the Appointment

Your work isn't done when the appointment ends:

Document the Recommendations

• Write down everything discussed while it's fresh
• Request a summary in your patient portal
• Note any modifications recommended
• Record specific warning signs to watch for

Complete Any Recommended Tests

If your doctor ordered:

• Blood work: Complete before starting and review results
• Stress test: Don't start until results are cleared
• Specialist referral: See them before starting if possible

Implement Modifications

Adjust your 75 Soft plan based on recommendations:

• Write out your modified version of the rules
• Know exactly what adjustments you're making and why
• Set reminders for any monitoring requirements

Schedule Follow-Up

Consider scheduling:

• A mid-challenge check-in if you have health concerns
• A post-challenge appointment to discuss results and next steps
• Ongoing monitoring for any chronic conditions

Sample Conversation Scripts

Here are complete sample scripts for different scenarios:

Script: Healthy Adult, Annual Physical

Script: Person with Chronic Condition

Script: Mental Health Concerns

Ready to learn more about safe participation? Explore what medical experts say about 75 Soft safety or understand when you should wait to start the challenge.

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