S2 E37: the new, new normal

Routines make winners. With very little exception, the elite in just about any field develop tailored, detailed routines to maximize practice in one’s field while making the time they aren’t practicing efficiently planned in order to accomplish other requisite tasks. I used to love me a good routine to get me through work, play, fitness, and a miscellaneous category we’ll call potpourri. Routines are king. I say that to say I’m finely tailoring a routine right now that makes knocking out everything expected of me in an efficient manner in order to maximize recovery, scholastic success, and physical and mental fitness. Shits coming together and we love to hear it…especially two weeks out from Squatober.

Let’s start with the fitness side: I’m playing with bars again baby. Working max has been established as 100lb squat and 200lb deadlift. Sure it’s super light, but if i reframe those exercises as mobility and flexibility drills with a secondary benefit of strength then I’m not so embarrassed. Gotta start somewhere, and frankly it just feels good to lift again. Mentioned it last week but I’m sitting around 28% BF and I’m happy with the number on the scale…which means it’s recoup szn again. Gotta eat right, take recovery serious, and maximize protein intake.

I’m going to hit on it again because they are truly impactful on a daily and weekly basis: the community at my BJJ gym is one in a million. Last week i went to a bunch of classes, primarily to watch and learn but also to say hi to the homies. Yeah, primary and secondary influences flip the second i walk through the doors. Some of the guys are walking off the mats during class to cap me up and talk to me, check out the scars and just shoot the shit. When your therapist tells you that it’s a disservice to cut that community off, you know it’s a positive environment to take advantage of. Lance goes “you don’t see people get hurt then come back in to class…it means you either love BJJ or are eternally hungry for a family”. Both lance, both.

PT and counseling are going along, working on physical and mental detriments that must be diligently addressed. Balance on my bad leg is shit, one legged squats hurt, and I unnaturally assign negative reactions to almost everything I do. Apparently somewhere in life I accrued a debt of affirmative words to celebrate small successes, which in my head I warped good positive things into the bare minimum and thinking I’m a piece of shit when i don’t “accomplish the bear minimum”. As a cognitive distortion it’s split between the mental filters and discounting the positive. Buuuuuuuuut with some medication adjustment I’m having an easier time fighting anxiety and righteously valuing my accomplishments. Better every week.

I really do champion taking an active approach to your mental health by seeking some kind of therapy. Support groups, better health, resources abound in the year of our lord 2025. This place is a rough fucking place to be in, even more so if you are in formative years. Find something you enjoy to exercise that body of yours for your benefit, and be ok with reaching out when you need help. There is no shame in being a weak swimmer, but if you stick with the “fake it till you make it” mentality you will very likely drown…and nobody wants that. If you are reading this, i certainly don’t want that for you. I want to have to go through hell to learn these things and impart my secrets to you.

I took the week off from doom scrolling the socials and it was lovely. I’m gonna extend it out another week. Love yall.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5a8SwDX6DQM8RG6jZv9bFV?si=d_KwhpLcSeWoW2tTOOzbDA

NFCWFH / IGY6 / 988 / SCW / 598



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