A Life Lesson At The Gym

New year, same goal.

For most people I know, including myself, being healthy and fit holds a guaranteed place on the annual goal plan. This year is no exception.

I spent the last month of 2023 traveling, battling the flu, and taking care of my mother. In fact, I caught a cold at the beginning of December and then the flu towards the end of the month. I couldn’t bring myself to exercise. I felt so mushy. Because of all this, I fell behind on my training plan and I realizer I needed to start over.

January arrived, and I finally made it to my local gym. I decided I would start slow.

I began with the standard warm-up and mobility exercises and then I proceeded to do only half of the exercises I was supposed to do that day.

That turned out to be a rookie mistake. It wasn’t enough.

I was so sore the next day. My legs were practically begging for muscle relaxers, and I walked funny for three days. I even had to hold onto the bathroom walls to minimize the impact of my sore muscles on the toilet seat. I couldn’t exercise for the remaining of that week.

My first lesson of the year: Slow and steady.

I thought my body could endure the “stress” but obviously I was wrong. After roughly a month without training, I sugarcoated the whole situation thinking my muscle memory wouldn’t disappoint me. Such a huge faux-pas.

However, I wasn’t discouraged!

I went back to the gym the following week. The goal was very simple. Replicate the same gym session that annihilated me the last time. I survived and I felt great! I was high on endorphins and so excited for my next gym session.

I remember now that there’s something called “progressive overload” and I must respect my body and limitations. I won’t rush the process.

I challenge anyone who stumbles upon this post to share their first lesson of 2024.

,abreijos