Bollywood actress Alaya F has shared a raw and honest account of her health struggles during her second attempt at the popular 75 Hard Challenge, revealing she's been battling Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) that left her with constant bloating, terrible fatigue, and inflammation.
The Unexpected Health Crisis
The 27-year-old actress, daughter of actor Pooja Bedi, took to Instagram to share her personal story as she approached day 74 of her second 75 Hard Challenge this year. Instead of showcasing progress photos, Alaya revealed that for most of the challenge, her stomach had been significantly bloated despite her rigorous routine.
Alaya disclosed that she had been suffering from a mystery illness for nearly three months before doctors diagnosed her with a severe case of SIBO. This condition occurs when bacteria that normally reside in the large intestine migrate into the small intestine, causing various digestive and systemic issues.
How SIBO Impacted Her Challenge Experience
The actress described how this experience contrasted sharply with her first 75 Hard Challenge at the start of 2024. 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, she explained in her emotional post.
Alaya detailed the extensive symptoms she experienced due to SIBO, including constant bloating, terrible fatigue, inflammation, nutrient malabsorption, slow muscle recovery, low strength, and brain fog. She has been on antibiotics for over 50 days to treat the condition.
The 75-day Hard Challenge is known as a mental toughness program that requires participants to follow a strict diet without cheat meals or alcohol, complete two 45-minute workouts daily (one outdoors), drink a gallon of water, read 10 pages of a nonfiction book, and take daily progress photos.
Medical Perspective on Prolonged Antibiotic Treatment
Dr. Saiprasad Girish Lad, consultant gastroenterologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, explained why some SIBO cases require extended antibiotic treatment. Some types of SIBO last longer because the extra bacteria keep coming back or don't fully respond to short treatment cycles, he noted.
The doctor emphasized that extended antibiotic courses help gradually reduce bacterial load, allow the gut lining to heal, and prevent symptoms like bloating and fatigue from returning. This approach also gives the digestive system time to restore its normal movement and balance, lowering relapse chances.
Dr. Lad also highlighted early warning signs of gut issues, stating that feeling bloated even after healthy meals, ongoing fatigue, heaviness after eating, or changes in strength for no apparent reason may signal that the gut needs attention.
The Silver Lining: A Lesson in True Discipline
Despite the physical challenges, Alaya found valuable lessons in her difficult experience. She realized that true discipline is never about intensity, it is always about consistency, noting that it's easy to feel proud when everything looks great, but truly life-changing to feel proud when nothing looks great.
Her honest confession resonated strongly with netizens, who praised her vulnerability. One user commented, So good that you shared your truth, while another wrote, Wow... thanks for sharing! And kudos to you for keeping up. A third supporter noted that showing up every day, irrespective of the situation, is truly something to be proud of.
Alaya's experience serves as an important reminder that even the most disciplined fitness routines can be impacted by underlying health conditions, and that listening to one's body is crucial for long-term wellbeing.
