Life Lessons from Training

I should have written this a  while back. I contemplated and put it on back burner thinking I am not that experienced to write. In retrospect it's all in the journey so why not?

One of the few things am passionate about is strength training. Eight years back if someone had asked me if I know what it means I would have said huh what? Currently I have come to realise that this journey has taught me more as an individual and I have just not paused to take it in. Few simple life lessons that have stuck with me ...

Reality Check: EGO doesn’t work

 We have all heard it but when you start knowing zilch your ego is in place. Its not what you thought you were and your perceived sense of self but it is what it is. Funnily you cannot have an exaggerated version of self as you can see what you can do. That’s the interesting part when you thought you are super fit(whatever the definition of fit maybe) and you actually had to run 2 kms or walk up five floors you will feel it. Ego left at the door is the best bet when you start on this journey. On a lighter note, the punnagai mannan analogy of Revathy doing the same dance routine in a corner stuck in my head as I have done the same with squats for years. Rather continue to do so…

Routine is underrated

I am a sucker for todo lists and routines. You don’t realise how much a routine helps  till you miss it and start feeling anxious. For a while this never struck me, till I consciously made choices to fit it in my routine. Then it becomes a norm. These things happen inorganically and you are in a rhythm.

The only other person in this race is..

YOU. This I still am learning for life but its TRUTH that needs to be felt. It took me a while to practice this but not getting carried away by the peer group or to discount all the chatter is such a big ask. Easier said than done and each time you lift heavy or improve on something pat yourself. Supremely important lesson that takes time but when it hits you, its just plain euphoria. Break it down but celebrate every small win

Less is more?

My latest learning but its just so true. Quality over Quantity? If you are a fan of Masterchef , then this line would have stuck with you. Instead of beating yourself up, get smart about everything including your training. By this I mean no shortcuts but what works for you.

Patience

Its funny how little patience I have , but here I had no choice but to be patient.There’s only so much your body will listen to you so even if you try you cant undo everything in that one year. It takes time and sometimes you need to accept it may not happen. Funnily I have heard this from others and only post that I stopped to understand this.

Enjoy the journey. Sometimes its better than the destination

When  you enjoy the journey you stop worrying about the destination. This is very key to take on the long journey towards fitness or for that matter anything. Unfortunately its harder than you think and you may need to keep reminding yourself that it's all in enjoying the process

What is the end goal?

Actually nothing? In the sense that this keeps changing. From maybe just to squatting to squatting with weights to heavy weights to the next version? Do you get the drift? This goalpost ideally should keep moving and when in doubt look at the above point. In a nutshell you never stop learning right?

Social Media is almost a Scam 

I had to say it because every third person decides on NY morning that they will be the walking talking fitness guru whether they have experience or not. Before you even put on your running shoes, you will hear about cadence! Get the drift? Unless you really are mature you wil be sucked into this quicksand. Like a good doctor, get a good coach or someone who you trust. This is not just a learning but even in life. This persona is well engineered that you need to peel through layers to see what it actually means so don't get fooled.

I can go on but looking forward to hearing what you have to say.