Week 1 of 52 (Fitness)- #changeyourlifeinoneyear
Week 1 was truly filled with ups and downs. I almost gave up due to withdrawals and overall lack of preparation. To make matters worse, Tito Jackson passed away on day 3, leaving me deeply emotional. I had the pleasure of meeting him and his sons a few times, and you feel more connected with a celebrity once you start interacting with them. In fact, the last time I saw Tito was at the Jackson home in Hayvenhurst two years ago. I spoke to him briefly, not knowing it would be the last time I’d see him. Needless to say, I am deeply sorry for this loss to pop culture and, more importantly, to his family, friends, and fans like myself.
One of the factors that made me consider quitting was my own experience of losing key people in my life—my parents, a sibling, and even a significant other of eight years. These losses triggered my personal connection with grief, and I noticed that I tend to crumble when loved ones pass away or when life gets too hard.
For me, it always seems like there's something—whether it's dealing with death, unexpected situations, or just overall stress. This time, however, I was determined to push through it all. And I did. Instead of hitting the gym on day four, I decided to attend a yoga class near the pier. Being by the water was incredibly refreshing. I wore my Tito Jackson sweatshirt and listened to a Tito Jackson Stationhead playlist curated by my friend Jess during the session.
The class turned out to be a power yoga session, not the relaxing kind I had hoped for. I was sweating the entire time, but it served as a good distraction. I even met a woman named Ana, and we connected deeply, sharing our stories of loss and life. It was the mini therapy session I needed. At the end of the night, she texted me a perfectly fitting message: "Every step backward is just a redirection." This week was beyond challenging, but it served as a redirection and a powerful testimony to my commitment to healing my body and getting fit.
During days 5-7, I found it challenging to stay motivated for my workouts, but I persevered. On average, I exercised for about 30-40 minutes each session. I'm cautious not to overstrain my body and am still determining the best time to hit the gym without being late for work. In the long run, I don't intend to work out every day. However, since the sessions are only 30 minutes and I focus on different muscle groups each day, the soreness I feel is manageable, even though it's present.
When it comes to my meals, I tend to stick to a consistent routine throughout the week. I rarely prepare different meals for each day. Typically, I start my day with a smoothie for breakfast, but I discovered on the second day that seeded watermelon makes for a better breakfast option. It keeps me fuller for longer than the smoothie. For lunch, I usually have either soup and salad or a pasta salad with fruit and nuts. For dinner, I enjoy a “mybacon” sandwich accompanied by a smoothie. This routine left me feeling full, more alert, and better each day. This week was particularly notable because, for the first time this year, I didn't eat any meals from outside. Everything was homemade, which was a perfect way to conclude a challenging yet successful week of fitness.