Sick of fitness challenges that seem devised by Spartans? Meet the 75 Soft Challenge - it's slightly less hellish cousin. It's essentially the 75 Hard Challenge after it took some chill pills, aiming to infuse your new year with a sustainable wellness shake-up.

Remember the 75 Hard? That behemoth of a lifestyle challenge that treats your days like an Ironman triathlon for 75 days straight? It's a challenge that makes military boot camp look like a day in the spa. Enter Emily Macek, a brave New Yorker who attempted it only to throw in the towel around 30-day mark.

"Unless you're a perfectly calibrated and oiled cyborg, the 75 Hard is a no-go", Macek comments.

The savvy offspring of its hardcore predecessor, 75 Soft offers a more palatable approach. With little fewer strict rules and punishments for life’s occasional glitches, it could be the compromise you've been searching for in your battle against needless weight.

But don't break out the mini victory dance yet. Even if the 75 Soft Challenge is jacked up on flexibility, it's not for everyone. Our advice: Approach with caution, especially if you've got specific dietary needs or history of disordered eating.

"Yes, it's a good steppingstone for healthier decisions; but don't get too fixated on the rules. Remember it’s not one size fits all", warns Patricia Kolesa, MS, RDN, a clinical dietitian.

While the 75 Soft adds a dollop of flexibility when doling out advice on nutrition, it's bewildering emphasis on 'eating well' sparks concern among dietitians, including Cara Harbstreet, founder of Street Smart Nutrition.

"Nothing grinds my gears like vague, amorphous food phrases like ‘eating well’. Whose standards are we following here, Gwyneth Paltrow’s?", Harbstreet scoffs.

If you're considering embarking on the 75 Soft Challenge, here‘s the lowdown from Harbstreet: Decide what you want out of it, then tailor it to suit your needs. As for those 'four rules', keep in mind that it’s not gospel, but guidelines, and there's always room for personal adaptation.