Day Ten: Listening to My Body

A Long and Tiring Morning

I woke up early as usual, around five in the morning, to get ready for school. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft glow through my window, which I often found both peaceful and invigorating. Yet, despite the beauty of the morning, I was already tired before the day even started. My job requires a lot of standing, walking, and talking, and today was no different. I could already feel the heaviness in my limbs as I stumbled through my morning routine.

My upper body felt fine, but my lower body was still sore, especially my hamstrings and my left thigh. The pain came from the kicks I took during the last training session, a brutal workout where we focused on improving our striking technique. Every step reminded me of how much I had pushed myself this week. I knew that my dedication to training was important, but the toll it took on my body sometimes felt overwhelming.

Still, I managed to get through the day. It was busy but productive, with lessons planned meticulously and student queries to address. My students have exams coming up, so I spent most of the day working on grading papers, preparing lessons, and updating marks for their portfolios. Each moment seemed to slip away, with more responsibilities piling up, yet I tried to maintain a positive mindset and connect with my students, hoping to inspire them amidst the pressure.

By the end of the school day, I couldn’t wait to get home to rest. The anticipation of a warm, cozy evening was my driving force as I wrapped up my tasks. I knew my body needed it. As I gathered my belongings and said goodbye to my students, I felt a sense of relief mixed with the usual dread of the lengthy grading I still had to tackle once I arrived home.

Choosing Recovery

When I got home, I told myself I wouldn’t force training today, despite the nagging voice in my head urging me to stick to my schedule. I had too much work left to do, and my body needed time to recover. It was a delicate balance to maintain; pushing for excellence in training while ensuring I was not overexerting myself.

Muay Thai and boxing were not options today; they’re too physically demanding, and I could feel remnants of fatigue lingering in my muscles. I thought maybe I could do Jiu-Jitsu, which tends to be more forgiving on the body, but I had online revision sessions with my students at the same time. Wrestling at 9 p.m. was still a possibility, but it’s too late for me after a long day, and I had to first correct exams and upload results looming in my mind.

So, I decided to rest instead, prioritizing my health and recuperation. I realized that recovery is just as vital as the training itself in achieving my goals, a lesson I’m still learning.

As soon as I got home, I fell asleep almost immediately. The exhaustion washed over me like a soothing tide, pulling me into a much-needed slumber. When I woke up, I felt a bit better, my soreness had eased slightly, and my body felt lighter, as if refreshed by the brief escape from reality. I did some light stretching, made sure to hydrate, and enjoyed a good meal, focusing my thoughts on recovery.

It felt strange not to go to the gym, especially now that training has become part of who I am. The gym is my second home, a place where I channel my energy and stress. But I reminded myself that rest is part of growth. It’s essential to allow my body the time it needs to heal and strengthen. My body is my asset, and I have to protect it. Every choice I make toward my health is a step toward a stronger future.

Reflections

Today was not about pushing limits. It was about learning to respect them. I’ve learned that listening to my body is just as important as training hard. There’s no shame in taking a day off; it’s how we prepare for the next round. This gives our muscles a moment to rebuild, to ensure we’re ready for the challenges ahead.

I wanted to watch some fighting videos and stretch more, but work came up again, demanding my attention and time. My mind drifted towards the myriad of techniques I still needed to learn, yet I kept telling myself that balance is key. Still, I went to bed with a calm mind, looking forward to tomorrow. It was important for me to focus on the lessons learned today and carry them into the next day’s training.

Day Ten Lesson

Sometimes discipline means resting when you need to. Knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to fight. It’s a balancing act that requires constant attention and self-awareness, which takes time to develop.

Day Ten complete. Tomorrow, the grind continues, with a stronger body and a clearer mind.

👉 How do you remind yourself that resting doesn’t mean giving up — it means preparing for your next win?