I go on long walks once a month. When I say long walks, it is about 25–30 kms. I had done 2 decent walks and one long walk in January. A 9km walk with my kids for lunch and a 12 km walk with my son for another lunch. I also did a 25.3 kms solo walk.
I wanted to complete my February quota on the first day of the month itself. I had planned to leave early. I had put a sweet potato in the air fryer and got it grilled already. I had packed my bag with some bananas, oranges and nuts. I got up at 4:55am. Chatted with one of my close friends at 5:15am and completed my Sudarshan kriya also. But somehow I was feeling that I was not ready to go for the walk.
My legs were talking. Before I go for a long walk, I would go for a series of walks and increase my walking length daily. But since my long walk, I am walking daily on the treadmill but was not walking in open air for some strange reason. I was relying on my son’s scooter more than before. I had not embraced the chill, I had not smelled the freshness of the air and I had not put my legs on the land. So, the legs were telling me that I had not walked them enough to go for a long walk.
I changed my plans and went to the gym. I reached the gym at 7:15am. For quite some time, I was struggling. I was touching my phone quite often. I did a bench press for my chest. Started with 15kgs dumbbells did 10, took the 20kgs dumbbells and did 8, took the 22.5 kgs and did 6. I tried 22.5 kgs again but couldn’t do more than 2. I dropped the dumbbells.
My hands were telling me that they were not ready to lift that much so quickly. Till December, I had lifted only 12.5 kgs dumbbells but in January, with a trainer, I tried 20 Kgs and did 5. I got the confidence but somewhere in my mind, I was pushing to get to 37.5 kgs(the biggest dumbbell in our gym) quickly. I was looking for instant gratification.
I was also thinking whether I am staying within my comfort zones and using this ‘body language’ as an excuse. It could also be a ‘comfort’ that my mind and body are seeking. It is very much possible as I have got pretty good results with my current exercise regimen. It might be my mind suggesting me to stay in my comfort zone when I am getting good results. It could also be that my body is seeking rest and I need to give sufficient rest to the body.
Three things from this reflection
- Check whether the body is looking for rest and if so, give rest
- The body and mind may be suggesting me to ‘prepare’ before pushing too hard
- Keep listening to the body and the mind
