Alaya F, 27, recently revealed the not-so-glamorous side of undertaking body transformation challenges, sharing that, unlike the first time around when she did a 75-day Hard Challenge — which was a breeze — this time, it was about doing just the “bare minimum”. “It’s 74 of my second 75 hard challenge of the year. I’m at the finish line. But today, instead of showing you guys progress photos, I actually have a personal story to tell you. You guys are probably used to seeing my stomach look a little toned, but the truth is, for most of this 75 Hard, my stomach has actually looked like bloated,” the U-Turn actor admitted in an Instagram post.
Notably, the 75-day Hard Challenge is a mental toughness challenge that requires the practitioner to follow a diet with no cheat meals or alcohol, complete two 45-minute workouts (one outdoors), drink a gallon of water, read 10 pages of a nonfiction book, and take a daily progress photo.
Alaya shared that after being diagnosed with SIBO or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, she has been “on antibiotics for over 50 days” now. “For almost three months, I had a mystery illness that we just couldn’t seem to diagnose. It turned out to be a severe case of something called SIBO, which causes constant bloating, terrible fatigue, inflammation, nutrient malabsorption, slow muscle recovery, low strength, and brain fog. Basically, it’s the worst that can happen to you while you are on a 75 Hard Challenge. I’ve been on antibiotics for over 50 days now,” said Alaya, who is the daughter of actor Pooja Bedi.
She also listed how this particular experience was quite the opposite of how her body felt the first time around when she undertook the challenge at the start of 2024. “It is safe to say that this 75 Hard was completely different from the last time I did it. Last time, my workouts were about pushing myself to my limits. This time, it was just about showing up and getting the bare minimum done. Last time, I watched my body sculpt and transform; this time, I wasn’t seeing any progress. I was only seeing symptoms. Last time, I kept adding more habits, more structure, more intensity, but this time, it was just about completing exactly what was required and letting that be enough,” Alaya continued.
Alaya F shares how SIBO impacted her 75 Day Hard Challenge (Photo: Alaya F/Instagram)
Stating that she “realised it’s super easy to feel proud when everything looks great, but it’s truly life-changing to feel proud when nothing looks great,” Alaya noted, “I suppose this 75 Hard Challenge taught me the most important lesson of them all, that true discipline is never about intensity, it is always about consistency,” she said.
Netizens praised her for her honest confession. One wrote, “So good that you shared your truth”, another wrote, “Wow… thanks for sharing! And kudos to you for keeping up”. Another wrote, “I don’t think women should restrict themselves with challenges like 75 hard; their bodies are meant to do so much more, including rest. But showing up every day, irrespective of the situation, is truly something to be proud of.”
Taking a cue from her revelation, let’s understand more about how SIBO impacts your health.
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Dr Saiprasad Girish Lad, consultant gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and therapeutic GI endoscopist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said SIBO occurs when bacteria that normally reside in the large intestine migrate into the small intestine, where they shouldn’t be. “Instead of feeling stronger, the body feels depleted after even minor activities,” said Dr Lad.
The first sign may be feeling bloated even after healthy meals. “Ongoing fatigue, heaviness after eating, or changes in strength for no apparent reason may also signal that the gut needs some attention. Many people assume it will get better with more workouts or stricter eating, but in cases like SIBO, pushing harder could actually worsen the fatigue and make recovery much slower,” said Dr Lad.
Why do some people with SIBO need antibiotics for more than 50 days?
Some types of SIBO last longer because the extra bacteria keep coming back or don’t fully respond to short treatment cycles. In these cases, doctors may prescribe antibiotics for a longer period to gradually reduce the bacterial load, help the gut lining heal, and prevent symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, and cramps from returning, said Dr Lad. “This extended method also gives the digestive system time to restore its normal movement and balance, which lowers the chances of relapse,” he added.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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