I tried TikTok's '3x3 by 12' health trend that's everywhere for a week — here's what happened

As a fitness editor, I’m no stranger to a TikTok health trend — from the 12-3-30 workout to fart walking, it’s often where new health and fitness routines emerge. Next on my list is the 3x3 by 12 health trend that’s everywhere right now — read on to find out what’s involved, and what happened when I gave it a go for a week.

As a reminder, I’m not a doctor, and what works for me and my body might not be right for you. It’s always worth checking in with a medical professional before taking on a new health routine.

What is the 3x3 by 12 routine?

In the simplest terms, the 3x3 by 12 routine focuses on hitting three metrics before 12pm. The routine has been popularized by creator Abbie Overturf, who said the rule “completely changed my life.” The routine involves three simple steps:

• Taking 3,000 steps
• Drinking ⅓ of your water goal for the day
• Eating 30 grams of protein

“If you do those things before 12 p.m every day, I promise you, you are going to be a fitter, healthier, happier you,” she says in her video. TikTok users have praised the simplicity of the routine, which breaks things down in a manageable way.

Of course, Overturf isn’t a doctor. Your water and protein goals will be specific to you, your body, and your exercise routine. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. This is around 45g per day for women, and 55g per day for men.

I took on the 3x3 by 12 TikTok health trend. Here's what happened

Keen to find out more, I tried the 3x3 by 12 routine for a week. Here’s what I noticed:

It made me drink more water

My morning routine is already pretty active — after I’ve dropped my toddler at daycare, I’ll typically head out for a run, or complete a resistance workout, before sitting down at my desk with a coffee. This routine made me think about my water intake, as well as my daily dose of caffeine.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine says that we should aim for about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men, and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women. This challenge had me filling my Stanley water bottle, and sipping throughout my morning, and I noticed the difference. Not only did I feel more productive, the extra water helped stop me from snacking mid-morning.

Adding protein to my breakfast helped me feel fuller

I’m often guilty of stealing my toddlers crusts, or wolfing down a slice of toast before I sit down at my desk. Despite writing about health and fitness for a living, my breakfasts often lack protein, and this challenge really forced me to address this.

Some mornings I added scrambled eggs to my toast, other mornings I opted for greek yogurt with fruit or granola. I didn’t stick to the 30g rule, as two eggs is only around 12g of protein, but I did find that adding protein to my breakfast kept me feeling fuller till lunch. Again, this isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a good place to start if you are looking to boost your nutrition.

If you’re struggling to create a healthy routine, it’s a good place to start

This won’t be for everyone and a lot of people will already be ticking all these things off before lunch. That said, if you’re looking to carve out a healthier routine, this is a great place to start.

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