Day 85: Learning to Adapt When the Day Goes Off Plan

Morning A Slow and Careful Start

Day 85 started on a Saturday, and I woke up later than usual, which was unusual for me. Right away, I felt a sore throat, which made me quite cautious about how I would approach the day. With the cold weather and how my body felt, I decided not to take a cold shower in the morning, which is typically invigorating. I did not want to risk getting sick, especially since I already felt slightly off. On top of that, I was already running late, so I could not even spare a minute to ease into my morning routine the way I preferred to do. I was well aware that a rushed start often has a ripple effect throughout the rest of the day.

Instead, I quickly grabbed some food from the kitchen and headed out. It was one of those exhausting days where we were required to show up even though there was no real teaching or work involved. We were coming back from a vacation, so attendance was not just appreciated; it was expected. At least I had slept decently well, which helped me feel somewhat rested despite the slow and cumbersome start. Nevertheless, I could sense that my energy levels were not where I wanted them to be, and it worried me.

On the bus, I skipped my usual breathing exercises; a practice that generally helps me center my thoughts and ground myself. Rather than forcing them in a rushed and distracting environment, I decided to try something different for the day. Once I arrived and found a calmer space, I did the breathing exercises there. It felt more controlled and more effective, and I think this might be a better option for similar days in the future. I realized that the environment plays a significant role in how well such practices work for me.

While there, I also spent some time working on my blog, something I had been neglecting lately. I am still struggling with promotion, which completely defeats part of the purpose of writing, and that is something I need to seriously address moving forward. Still, maintaining the habit of writing and reflecting matters. It's part of my journey, and even on days when I feel less than inspired, putting pen to paper, or fingers to keys, helps keep me in touch with my goals.

Midday Nutrition Fatigue and Missed Plans

After finishing up with my duties, I left and went to buy nutrition. I had a very good meal, savoring each bite, yet I felt my energy drop almost immediately afterward. Fatigue hit hard. It is curious how one good meal, while providing nourishment, can also have the opposite effect on the body; a reminder that balance is key. I decided to take a nap, planning for about one hour, just enough to recover a bit before I had to face the rest of the day.

However, that one hour turned into three, much to my dismay. Because of that, I completely missed the Jiu Jitsu session and the other important sessions I had planned for earlier in the day. That was incredibly frustrating, especially considering that I had not trained properly for almost four days, which puts me behind other classmates and affects my skills. Missing out on collective training feels like I'm letting myself down.

Even so, I did not let that end the day. Sure, it was not an ideal start to the new week of training, but I always remind myself that perfection is simply not realistic. What mattered was finding a way to still show up later on, both physically at training and mentally in my preparation for the week ahead. I needed to stay resilient in the face of setbacks.

Evening Wrestling Session Showing Up Anyway

Later that night, I went to a wrestling session from 9 to 10. It felt late, but it was undeniably better than doing nothing at all. Luckily, my knee did not hurt as much as before, and my legs felt somewhat rested; perhaps the nap had indeed helped. I was determined to make the most of the session, knowing it was a chance to connect with my teammates and enhance my skills.

Earlier in the day, with my meals, I had taken Omega 3 and D3 K2 , nutrients I trust to support my overall well-being. Before the session commenced, I added collagen, zinc, and vitamin C to my regimen to support my joints and recovery efforts. I find that being proactive about my nutrition is crucial, especially on days when I am more active.

The group was small, about seven people, and all of them were new faces to me. Most of the regular students did not attend because a tournament was happening simultaneously, which is totally understandable. One of the dedicated athletes I usually train with even won a bronze medal, which was impressive and inspiring, especially considering how relatively short his time training has been. It serves as a reminder that dedication and effort truly pay off.

The session was led by a student who clearly knew what he was doing. The warm-up was intense and thorough, no easy stroll through stretches for us tonight! We did running, jumping, sprawls, knee slides, walking on our hands, acrobatic movements, and jumps, followed by focused leg work. After that, we spent a substantial amount of time stretching, only to find it accompanied by, you guessed it, even more sprawls. This rigorous approach made me grateful for the training intensity, knowing it would pay off in the long run.

The main focus was on different variations of single leg and double leg takedowns, along with defending and countering them effectively. It was a lot of sprawls, over and over again, and it tested conditioning more than technique in a way that enabled me to understand how both need to be developed together. Despite the intensity, I felt comfortable with the pace, finding my rhythm amid the chaos. Some of the newer students struggled, which is completely normal when you are starting out; it sparks the understanding that we all have to start somewhere, and growth comes with time and persistent effort.

Sharing Experience and Closing the Day

After the session, I talked with the newer students and shared some of the wisdom And experiences I have learned over the past weeks. They were eager to listen and ask questions, indicating a genuine interest in absorbing knowledge. I do not mind sharing at all, because I remember how valuable that kind of guidance would have been for me early on in my path. It nourishes the community spirit and makes me feel more connected.

Afterward, I had my whey protein and creatine shake, a staple in my post-training routine. Even within that one-hour session, I could tell that my conditioning helped me keep up better than some of the others. I must credit that consistency and effort, as they truly make a difference in my performance and ability to endure these challenges.

I went home afterward, took a cold shower despite the freezing weather outside, had a good snack to refuel my energy, and collapsed into bed. The usual students were still absent due to tournaments, and I am looking forward to engaging in meaningful conversations with them once they return, especially the one who earned the bronze medal. These connections are what make my experience enriched.

Day 85 was not smooth, not perfect, and not ideal in many ways. But it was honest, a true representation of what it means to persevere. I showed up when I could, listened to my body in the face of fatigue, and still put in the work, reminding myself that the journey is not always linear, it is a winding road that demands commitment and resilience.

Day 85 Lesson

Today reminded me that discipline is not about forcing every habit at all costs. It is about adapting without quitting, especially when faced with unforeseen circumstances. Missing sessions happens. Feeling tired happens. What matters is choosing effort and determination, especially when there is still time left in the day to make it meaningful. I must stay committed to the process, learning and growing every step of the way. Every day is an opportunity to move closer to my goals.

Day 85 complete. The grind continues, one imperfect day at a time.

👉 How do you stay mentally strong on days when your plan falls apart but you still want to move forward? I would love to hear your strategies and experiences in dealing with such challenges.